Fort Myers, FL (June 19, 2009) - The City of Fort Myers announces once again this year grant opportunities are available to artists and arts and culture organizations within the City of Fort Myers. The City recognizes the importance of arts in the community and encourages artistic quality and program innovation by providing grants up to $10,000 for organizations and up to $3,000 for individual artists. Last year the City awarded $101,900 to 36 different individuals and organizations. This year, Mayor Humphrey and the City Council increased the total grant amount to $132,000 to help even more organizations and artists.
FORT MYERS ARTS & CULTURE GRANTS GOALS:
- Develop stable, well-managed arts & culture organizations and institutions through fair distribution of funds
- Encourage artistic quality and program innovation, including seed money for organizations and projects
- Develop new audiences and challenge existing audiences
- Promote lifelong arts and cultural education
- Promote multicultural inclusion in all aspects of the City's cultural life
- Stimulate increased private support for the arts & culture
- Promote economic development and tourism in the City of Fort Myers
- Promote and encourage art and culture in all areas of the City
- Create a nurturing environment in which artists can flourish
The City’s Public Art Committee, composed of artists, arts and culture administrators and members of the art community, will administer the grants. Grant applications can be obtained by downloading the application from the City of Fort Myers website at www.cityftmyers.com/artsandculturegrants or by calling the City Manager’s office at 239-321-7027. City of Fort Myers Arts & Culture Grants must arrive by 5:00 pm on July 17, 2009. Awards will be given by September 30, 2009.