The Berkeley Arts Council has received a state grant to help fund an "Amplify the Arts" program to support smaller arts projects produced by organizations or individuals.
With the announcement of the Berkeley Arts Council’s first round of grants, the organization is also requesting proposals for awards to be made in March 2013. Deadline for submissions is to be announced.
Three projects were selected to receive financial support, helping artists and organizations realize their ambitions and expand arts opportunities for the entire community.
Sculpture in Downtown Martinsburg:
Lee Badger’s metal sculpture titled “Comma” has returned to the Caperton Train Station where travelers and visitors to the “For the Kids” Museum can actually turn it around to view it from every side. Lee’s Anvil Works studio carried out the installation, made possible by a grant from the Berkeley Arts Council. President Malinda Shaver represented the partnership of BAC, MBC-CVB, the Museum and the City of Martinsburg.
Drama Club at South Middle School:
South Middle School Drama Club teachers Joanne Kulp and Sherry Headley received a check from the Berkeley Arts Council for $500. Malinda Shaver presented the award, part of the Council’s first cycle of “Amplify the Arts” grants.
Berkeley Community Chorus:
Rehearsals are underway with a chorus group of about 30 singers under the direction of Jeffery Poland, former professor of choral music at Fairmont State University. A holiday concert takes place on December 1 at Martinsburg High School.
The Council is currently accepting applications for the current fiscal year (2012-2013) with a submission deadline to be announced.
Projects are being sought that will:
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expand availability and accessibility of the arts within our community;
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involve young people in the arts;
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provide arts experiences to new or underserved audiences;
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use the arts in an innovative way to enhance community life;
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show collaboration among two or more organizations and/or individuals.
Grants will be up to $750, or half of the total project budget, whichever is less.
Residents, or organizations working primarily in Berkeley County, can be considered for support for projects to expand availability and accessibility of the arts; to involve young people in the arts; to provide arts experiences to new or underserved audiences; to use the arts in an innovative way to enhance community life. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2013. Information and applications are available on the web at www.berkeleyartswv.org/amplify. Email berkeleyartswv@gmail.com.
“Amplify the Arts” grants are presented by the Berkeley Arts Council with financial assistance from the WV Division of Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts. Matching funds contributed by the community are essential to continue and enlarge the program and contributions may be made through www.berkeleyartswv.org or by mail to Berkeley Arts Council, Inc. P.O. Box 984, Martinsburg, WV 25402.
Use the link below to download the full application package and forms:
(The application package is an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file. To download the file, right-click on the link and specify where you want to save the file. The file is readable and printable using the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free download from Adobe.com.)
Berkeley Arts Council Re-Granting Policy
To further our goals of extending and enhancing arts programs within and for Berkeley County, the Berkeley Arts Council may provide financial support for individual and group projects, which may include operational support, initiating projects, or individual development.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from the arts community including the Berkeley Arts Council, and from the community at large. The panel then makes recommendations for the Council's Board’s final approval.
Applicants shall be residents of, or operate from facilities within, Berkeley County, and must provide evidence of credibility of the project, and the qualifications of those administering and carrying out the project. An application will describe the expected impact for the community in terms of concept, effect on participants and audience.
Applications must document sufficient marketing, budgetary, organizational/administrative skills required to implement the project. The quality of the proposal presentation is stressed as it exemplifies the planning that determines the success of the project.
A final report is due thirty days following the conclusion of the project with a clear accounting of finances. A description of how the program met or did not meet its objectives and suggested changes to benefit similar projects should be recorded.
Funding is normally limited to 50% of project cost. The other 50% may be half donated goods and services and half cash.
