As an artist at Studio & and a member of the Durango Arts Center board of directors, I frequently have conversations with artists about their work. It is one of my favorite parts of both jobs. One of the recurring themes to those conversations is financial barriers. It is often about not having the funds to buy the right materials to start a new piece or body of work – and just as often about the lack of money at the end of a project to properly finish and present their work well.
In a community with such a depth of artistic talent, it seems there should be a program helping them overcome that hurdle. Something that can allow them to continue on the path of making the art that is inside of them. This very issue has been something we’ve been discussing at DAC for the last several months, and we’ve decided to do something about it. It is with much pride and excitement I introduce to you a brand new program from the Durango Arts Center: DAC MicroGrants.
DAC MicroGrants is an annual series of grants that will be given, no strings attached, to local artists. Both established and emerging artists from Southwest Colorado, regardless of whether of not they are DAC members, are eligible for DAC MicroGrants. There are 10 grants in total (4 at $250, 4 at $500, and 2 at $1,000). The DAC MicroGrants are open to artists of all media including – but not limited to – visual, performing, musical, literary, film and media.
Artists can apply for any of the three levels of MicroGrants. The deadline to enter is June 30. Awardees will be notified by August 1; in addition to their grants, they will receive a one-year membership to the Durango Arts Center.
Our intent with this program is to help artists advance their work to the next level, whether that means buying materials they may not be able to afford, helping fund an exhibition of their newest work or even help them with marketing and promotion. DAC wants to help the artists who make our community such a rich one to live in.
We at DAC are passionate about moving our community forward through the arts, and we simply couldn’t do that without your amazing support. As with everything at DAC, DAC MicroGrants is funded completely by donations. We feel very passionately about this new program and ask you help us spread the word, both to the artists who might benefit from it and also to the people who may be interested in funding a grant (or two). It is our plan to make this a program that lasts for years to come.
On behalf of the board of directors of the Durango Arts Center, we thank you for your continued support of DAC and the local arts.
Visit www.durangoarts.org/microgrants for the full details about the DAC MicroGrants program and to download the application.
Email questions to DACmicrogrants@gmail.com.
Tim Kapustka is vice president of the board of directors at the Durango Arts Center. He is also a working artist and founding member of Studio & in Durango.
