Arts organizations receive $215K in grants

Local arts organizations on Friday received $215,000 in grants.

The Springfield Regional Arts Council presented funding to 25 recipients in partnership with Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. and the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation, according to a news release. The grant presentation event was held during First Friday Art Walk at The Creamery Arts Center.

"Supporting the arts with grants is vital to improving the quality of life in Springfield and our region,” said Bridget Dierks, vice president of programs for CFO, in the release. "We are grateful to partner with the SRAC and the Musgrave Foundation to support these organizations."

Operating support grants went to KSMU, Moxie Cinema, Ozarks Lyric Opera, Sculpture Walk Springfield and Springfield Art Museum. The recipients are eligible for $20,000 apiece annually for three years to help pay for operating costs.

Programming support grants went to:
• American Indian Center of Springfield, $10,000
• Boys & Girls Club of Springfield, $10,000
• CORO, $2,500
• Heartland Opera Theatre, Joplin, $5,000
• History Museum on the Square, $5,000
• MOJO at Gillioz, $5,000
• Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra, $7,500
• Moon City Press, $7,000
• Nixa Downtown Revitalization Committee, $8,797
• Ozarks Film Foundry, $5,000
• Ozarks Technical Community College Fine Arts, $3,000
• Plotline, $6,603
• Queen City Chorale, $5,000
• Queen City Rock Camp, $2,000
• Southern Missouri Arts Connection, Hollister, $4,500
• Springfield Chamber Chorus, $10,000
• Springfield Dance Alliance, $5,000
• Springfield-Greene County Park Board, two awards of $1,600 and $1,500
• Springfield Multicultural Festival, $10,000

This year's grant round rose to $215,000 from $65,000 awarded in 2023, with increased funding from local hotel/motel tax collections, according to the release. There were 45 applications received and $493,703 requested.