The Ontario County Arts Council is accepting grant applications through June 1 from local nonprofit and government organizations for projects to enhance the visual and performing arts in the county.
The Council has established a budget of $5,000 for 2025. Grants of up to $1,000 will be announced by Aug. 1. Projects must benefit the Ontario County community. It has also shifted its focus to assisting small-scale projects. Grants will only be available for projects or events with a total budget of up to $10,000.
“We know how hard it is for small organizations or startup projects to find funding,” said Joyce Kowba, president of the Arts Council. “The board wants to support new and emerging ideas in the arts community.”
Some operational costs may be included in the grant application if they are critical to the project’s success and may be no more than 50 percent of the grant.
The application procedure is detailed on the Arts Council’s website. Applicants must explain the objectives and costs of the project, with preference given to new applicants and those who can show a partnership with at least one other organization.
The Ontario County Arts Council, which has more than 200 members, partners with the Ontario County Historical Society and Finger Lakes Community College to stage exhibits and events. It recently opened Gallery 32 in downtown Canandaigua as a community arts partnership with the college and provides an annual $2,000 scholarship to an FLCC student majoring in the arts. The 2024 recipient of the Mariner Family Ontario County Arts Council Scholarship was Liam Houle of Canandaigua.
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