The Complete Guide to Writing Effective & Award-Winning Grants by Dianne Harris

Author:Dianne Harris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Publishing
Published: 2014-04-14T00:00:00+00:00

Tax Status:

The Jones Dance Company is tax exempt per IRS Section 501(c)(3).

Request for Funding:

$15,000 (though any support will be appreciated)

Type of Organization:

Community Arts

Service Area:

Mill Quarter Neighborhood and Mill County

Target Population Served:

Primarily residents of Mill Quarter Neighborhood but with a growing audience

Mission:

To provide access to cultural and creative expression to members of our low income community, enriching and inspiring their lives.

Abstract:

There is great need for quality youth programming and cultural events in low income neighborhoods in Columbia, Ohio, particularly the Mill Quarter neighborhood which is plagued by gang activity and unemployment. The city’s parks and recreation centers provide programming directed at elementary-age children and the elderly but have nothing to offer for teens and young adults.

The low income families have been shown to be more likely to be affected by health conditions that have links to stress, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Bored teens with little adult supervision outside of school are prey for gangs and more prone to commit legal offenses, engage in premature and unprotected sexual activity, and have lower grades compared to teens that have stimulating activities to channel their energy. The low income families have little opportunity to engage in activities that challenge them in a positive way, activities that would enable them to enjoy success and empowerment and increase their self-esteem.

Creative expression, especially forms like dance, which has the added benefit of being a physical activity, has been shown to be a vehicle for reduction of stress, an outlet in which to channel strong emotions in a not-damaging way, and a unifying force for a community. Exposure to the arts stimulates brain activity and community interaction.

The Jones Dance Company is a new offering in the city and the first of its type in this neighborhood. It will provide lessons to interested teens in the school gymnasium. They will be encouraged to learn, create, and present dance recitals as well as have the opportunity to attend professional works of classical and modern dance. The director and board members all have extensive experience in the arts, administration, and in serving culturally diverse populations.

Several members of the community have joined the effort to create this program, including existing visual arts organizations, the local business community, local colleges, the Columbia Metropolitan Ballet, sewing clubs, and community churches. The company needs to be able to rent performance space, rehearsal space, and space to construct and store sets and costumes. The schools are unable to provide this amount of space and are not available when the school term is not in session. Area churches have provided some performance space in the past, but audience attendance has grown beyond the capacity of local churches, averaging more than 250 attendees for each of four professional performances each year. A restored historic movie theater is in the district and would make a perfect home for the Jones Dance Company. The additional financial support of the My Town Foundation will help make this facility a reality.

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