Peoria Awards 19 Grants for Local Arts Programs

PEORIA, Ariz. (Sept. 16, 2022) - Peoria Mayor and Council approved $75,000 for the fiscal year 2023 Peoria arts grants to 16 local organizations. The awards range from $3,000 - $5,000, and support 19 arts and culture programs for the benefit of Peoria residents.

"The arts add to the exceptional quality of life that we know and love in Peoria, support our mental and general well-being, and highlight the unique characteristics of our residents and our community," said Mayor Cathy Carlat. "Our city is not complete without a strong representation of the arts, and I am pleased to support these wonderful organizations as they add to the vibrancy of our community."

Peoria's Arts Grant Program has been in place since 1998 and is designed to provide non-profit organizations, schools, and Peoria-based small businesses with financial support in delivering exceptional programs and services to Peoria residents in the areas of visual and performing arts, and to enhance art-centric events and activities. The grant applications were reviewed and scored by a panel of Arts Commission members, Peoria residents, and art professionals. All of the awarded programs will benefit Peoria residents in the coming fiscal year.

"These organizations have contributed immensely to the arts and culture of the Peoria community, and have provided opportunities for residents and visitors to engage in outstanding programming," said Marylou Stephens, Director of Arts, Culture, and Library Services. "On behalf of the Peoria Arts Commission, I am thrilled to support these organizations through the arts grants program."

Following is a list of the grant recipients:

• ABT Performing Arts Inc.: Theater for Young Audiences Program, $5,000
• Arizona Opera: OperaTunity Program in Schools, $5,000
• B3 Theater, Inc.: An Evening of Feminist Theater, $3,000
• Ballet Arizona: DanceAZ School Residency Program, $5,000
• Central Arizona Flute Ensemble (CAFE Flutes): CAFE Concert and Singalong, $3,500
• Childsplay, Inc.: In-School Theater Performances, $5,000
• Drum Arizona, Inc.: Community Drum Circles - Native American and African, $5,000
• Fighter Country Talent Squad: Music at Second Saturdays and Peoria City Events, $3,000
• HEAL HER Art/American Legion Auxiliary Unit 62: Women Veteran Art Expo at Rio Vista, $3,000
• Mind and Body Child Development Center LLC dba Mind and Body Kids: Preschool Picasso Art Classes, $3,000
• One Step Beyond Inc.: Arts and Ceramics Studio Programs, $3,500
• Preserving Hometown Experiences Music Fund: Music at Second Saturdays, $3,000
• ProMusica Arizona: Women in Song Performances, $3,500
• Theater Works: Theater Alive Youth Education Program, $5,000
• Theater Works: The Hunchback of Notre Dame Production, $5,000
• Theater Works: The Lion King Jr. Youth Works Production, $4,000
• West Valley Arts Council: Creative Aging Program, $3,000
• WHAM Art Association: Free Art Classes for Teens - Main Library, $3,750
• WHAM Art Association: Free Art Classes for Teens - Sunrise Mountain Library, $3,750

For more information about art programming in Peoria, visit www.peoriaaz.gov/arts.