Join us in celebrating the 2023-2024 grant recipients!

Lane Arts Council has awarded $35,011 in grants to 10 arts organizations in the Eugene area for the 2023-24 grant period. Community Arts Program Grants support small to mid-sized nonprofit arts organizations in their strategic development and organizational goal fulfillment. The Community Arts Program Grant is essential in sustaining our vibrant and diverse arts and culture community in Eugene.

Program grants were awarded to community arts organizations to provide support for the grant cycle running from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The Community Arts Program Grant is funded by the City of Eugene Cultural Services Division and administered by Lane Arts Council.

Community Arts Program Grant Recipients

#instaballet

$4,300 award

Website

#instaballet will use funds to support their continued expansion of free, community workshops and educational outreach programming. In 2023, they will hold more free workshops, at new locations, with new partners, to continue providing their unique, interactive model for experiencing dance to even more communities in Lane County. These on-site opportunities to create new dance works on professional dancers in real time, help bring ballet (and other forms of dance) out of the theatre and into the community.

Adventure! Children’s Museum

$3,000 award

Website

Adventure! Children’s Museum’s mission is to help all kids grow as artists, explorers, and innovators by providing an environment dedicated to the spirit of adventure and discovery. They offer access to interactive exhibits, camps, classes, and weekly activities to spark children’s interest in the arts, sciences, culture, and history.

Chamber Music Amici

$4,000 award

Website

Chamber Music Amici’s mission is to “produce affordable chamber music concerts that appeal to all ages” and to “promote the development of a new generation of music lovers.”  In pursuit of that mission they will use grant funds to subsidize free lawn seating for families and children at their outdoor summer concert series at the White Oak Pavilion at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum.  The outdoor setting and the free tickets provide an attractive and truly affordable opportunity for families to hear excellent chamber music.

Eugene Peaceworks

$2,981 award

Website

In the KEPW Youth Radio Project young people age 10 to 18 share the excitement and empowerment that naturally comes when feeling heard. Youth share their voices on KEPW-LP 97.3FM and the KEPW website during 8 week training sessions, where they meet weekly to learn about radio production. From hosting or co-hosting a show on the topic that means the most to them to audio editing and production skills of all kinds, KEPW is happy to see a diverse group of students become engaged community members using the knowledge they gain through the art of radio.

Maude Kerns Art Center

$4,000 award

Website

Maude Kerns Art Center (MKAC) will utilize grant funds to help achieve their current programming initiatives, including building upon its solid Exhibition and Education programs by further connecting their arts programming and services within the community, as well as continuing to enhance their gallery and studio spaces to better serve artists and students.

MECCA

$3,880 award

Website

MECCA will use grant funds to bring forth creative opportunities and events in their new space. In their new building, they have created an accessible community art studio, a classroom, and gallery area. Funds will help activate these spaces, making them affordable and accessible to anyone in need.

MEPAA

$4,000 award

Website

MEPAA (Music Educators and Performing Artists Association) will be using LAC funds to increase training and support for staff to expand services offered to students experiencing disabilities and requiring special needs. These new programs provide music and arts adaptive workshops and classes with access to high-quality instruments and instruction that meets the needs of each student. MEPAA: Where everyone is a rock star!

Viking Textile Maker Hub

$550 award

Website

Viking Textile Maker Hub supports Sewists (people who sew + artist) by offering education and access to industrial sewing skills and machinery. They build community through programming and events that enable connection through creativity with the belief that those who sew together grow together!

Willamette Jazz Society

$4,000 award

Website

The Willamette Jazz Society will use the grant award to produce several short-form videos and target-market to customers via their social media, emails, The Jazz Station website, collaborating arts/schools’ organizations’ websites, press, community presentations and customer text-messaging. Building awareness of Willamette Jazz Society builds its community of membership, donors, sponsorship, students, and concert-goers, and in turn, affords greater Willamette Jazz Society community cultural impact.

Xcape Dance Academy

$4,300 award

Website

Xcape Dance Academy is a place where dancers of all ages, aspirations, and walks of life can come together to enjoy freedom of movement and self-expression through dance. Xcape Dance Academy is dedicated to helping students follow their dreams, reach their technical and performance goals, while providing cutting edge instruction in the art of dance. Whether participants just love to dance or are pursuing a professional career, Xcape Dance Academy will provide an artistic, fun, and creative atmosphere that allows students to grow into excellent dancers, performers, and people. The family at Xcape Dance Academy goes beyond the movement. They are united by their passion for expression and their zest for life. Pictured: Xcape Dance Company dancers