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Culture Work Hosts Martini Competition Inspired by Local Artists

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Culture Works, the United Arts Fund and Local Arts Agency that serves Dayton, Montgomery County, and the seven-county surrounding area, is holding their annual Artini fundraiser on August 21, 2025 in the Dayton Arcade.

“Artini is my favorite Culture Works event,” says Director of Engagement, Curtis Bowman. “The collaboration between local artists and bartenders is really unique, and the art inspired drinks offer such an array of tastes and visual appeal—-I’m glad I don’t have to pick the winner!”

Winners of the art inspired mixology competition are chosen by ticketed guests, who sip, savor and vote for their favorites. The event also features music from the Deron Bell Trio, savory bites from Speakeasy Miso, and art for sale. 

Last year’s champion, Hayden from Stella Bleu Bistro is partnering with Lori Daugherty. According to Hayden, “Lori is always a breath of fresh air to work with. Just like her paintings, the spunky, unique, and vibrant vibe she brings is unmatched—and quite frankly, perfect to match my cocktails with! I’m looking so forward to pairing my art in mixology with hers for another great year at Artini!”

Other pairings include: Julie Riley with Fifth Street Brew Pub; Amy Williams with Whisperz Speakeasy; Jes McMillan with The Silos; Brian Mathus with Coco’s; Samantha Mang with Mercenary Bartenders; CaymanK with Wheat Penny; Rodney Veal with De’Lish; Jen Perkins with The Garden Grille & Bar at the Hilton Garden Inn in the Dayton Arcade; Jon Daugherty with Bistecca in the Ardent Hotel; and Erin Smith Glenn with West Social Tap.

Culture Works Artini is August 21, 2025 at the Dayton Arcade Rotunda, 35 W 4th St, Dayton, OH 45402. Tickets are $55.00 General Admission, $65.00 VIP.

Culture Works to Host A Regency Ball

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Culture Works invites you to be transported to a time of elegance, wit, and refined revelry at a Regency Ball on November 14, 2025. Join them for an immersive evening that celebrates Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, raises monies for the arts, and adds a piquant Regency flair to the season.

Whether you’re a seasoned historical dancer or a newcomer lured by the romance of empire-waist gowns and cravats, the Culture Works Regency Ball offers a unique opportunity to experience the grace and gaiety of a bygone era. Guests may choose Creative Black Tie or Regency Inspired formal wear. Reach out to local purveyors of finery, then don your flowing muslins, military coats, and dainty slippers—and come ready to promenade, converse, and waltz the night away under the glittering Arcade dome.

In the Regency period, such an evening would unfold in two parts: a select number of guests would be invited to join the dinner party before the dancing begins—an honor traditionally reserved for close acquaintances or distinguished guests. Following the meal, the ballroom would open to all attendees for the main event: an elegant night of dancing, music, and merriment. This tiered structure reflects the customs of the era, when invitations to dinner were limited and intimate, while the ball itself welcomed a broader assembly for socializing and spirited revelry.

In true Regency fashion, Culture Works is offering multiple options for participation. Begin your evening at 6:30 pm with a sit-down dinner from Bernstein’s Fine Catering, where guests are invited to engage in social intercourse and enjoy a meal inspired by historic menus, and complimented by fine wines. 

Then enter the ballroom where an ensemble will set the tone, playing the music of the era as renowned dance callers Tom and Toni Tumbusch guide you through the steps of traditional country dances. No partner? No experience? No problem—dances are taught and called in the moment, and the emphasis is on the festive, not perfection. Even Mr. Collins could show a fine leg under the Tumbuschs’ tutelage.

Or you can enter the ballroom at 8:30 pm, fresh from your dressing table. Late entry tickets allow guests to choose to be announced as they enter the ballroom. Then join in the dancing of traditional country dances, sample delicious desserts, enjoy complimentary punch, and use your drink tickets to enjoy something a bit stronger. Culture Works passport holders receive a $10.00 discount on late entry ball tickets, just enter your valid passport number on the ticket page.

Curtis Bowman, Director of Engagement for Culture Works, says “this Regency Ball is more than just a dance, it’s a celebration of community, culture, and imagination. From the moment you step through the door, you’re stepping into another world—one where letters arrive by post, glances across the ballroom matter, and every turn on the dance floor tells a story.” 

So press your gloves, polish your shoes, and prepare for an unforgettable night of elegance, connection, and time-traveling delight. One may use these links to acquire Tickets or engage as a Sponsor. We are so looking forward to it, there is no felicity like a ball. 

Sip, Sample, and Vote For Your Favorite Artini To Benefit Culture Works

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Tickets are now on sale for the 5th annual Artini to be held on from 6 – 8pm on Thursday, August 21st in the Rotunda of the Dayton Arcade.  Culture Works’ unique friend and fundraiser that celebrates the fusion of art and mixology by featuring art-inspired cocktails and mocktails.

Local Mixologists work from an inspiration piece of art from a local artist to create a tasty “Artini.” Enjoy live music, delectable appetizers, engaging arts experiences, and local artwork for sale, while exploring the best drinks that art can inspire. Your ticket also affords you a vote to select the winning bartender. You decide which mixologist has captured the essence of the artwork in both a cocktail and a mocktail.

Confirmed Participants include:  Coco’s Bistro, Fifth Street Brewpub and Wheat Penny, with more to be added.

Sip, sample, and vote for your favorites! 

General Admission tickets – $55 includes five drink tickets
VIP tickets – $65 includes early access at 5:30pm and a bonus drink ticket

Tickets can be purchased online. Cash bar available for beer and wine.

Questions? Interested in sponsoring Artini? Call 937-222-ARTS or email [email protected].

Culture Works Campaign for the Arts 50th Anniversary Campaign Co-Chairs

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Culture Works is pleased to announce the Co-Chairs of the 2024 Campaign for the Arts: Bing Davis as the Artistic Chair, and Rodney Veal as the Community Chair.

Willis “Bing” Davis is an internationally renowned artist with art in public and private collections around the world. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Ohio Governor’s Irma Lazarus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, the highest art award given in the state of Ohio. In addition to his artistic work, Bing Davis is known for his creative and innovative approach to teaching, learning, and human development through the arts resulted in his receiving state, national and international acclaim.

Bing grew up in Dayton, Ohio. He left when he attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, graduating in 1959. He also attended the school of the Dayton Art Institute and received his Master of Education degree in 1967 from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He has traveled all over the world, but continues to call Dayton home and demonstrates his commitment by residing and working in the community. When he retired from teaching in 1998, he opened the Davis Art Studio and EbonNia Gallery in the historic Wright-Dunbar Business District. He has continued offering youth and community art and cultural activities through SHANGO: Center for the Study of African American Art and Culture. Bing is a leading advocate for diversity in both the arts and in our community, and Culture Works is thrilled to have him advocate for the arts and Culture Works as Artistic Chair of the campaign.

“One of the reasons it is important for people to support the arts in Dayton is that the arts add such a quality to life that cannot be added any other way. Art is one of the best ways to…touch all people in all neighborhoods,” said Bing. He added, “Contributing to the arts is one of the best ways to touch all people and to add a richness to living. It gives us all a good feeling to contribute to something so worthwhile – art, music, dance, drama, and creative words.”

Rodney Veal is the host of the Art Show on Think TV, and the podcast “Inspired By.” He has a long association with the arts in Dayton and with Culture Works, where he worked (in 1999) as special assistant to then President John Clark. Rodney has also received MCACD grants and fellowships through Culture Works. He is known for his work as an independent choreographer and interdisciplinary artist, and his works have been performed as part of the Ohio Dance Festival and other regional dance festivals. More recently, Rodney has worked as an adjunct faculty member for Sinclair Community College. He is also a visual artist, and just mounted a show at Indie West. A native Daytonian, Rodney is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a B.S in Political Science and Visual Arts and he has an MFA in Choreography from The Ohio State University. Rodney is President of the Board of Trustees of Ohio Dance and serves on the boards of Friends of Levitt Pavilions Dayton, Dayton Live, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, WYSO and Homefull.

Rodney commented, “Culture Works serves as a protector of the arts ecosystem in the region, to make sure that this platform is there for people and organizations who create art, and to elevate the creativity that occurs there. They play a necessary role in ensuring that there is a fair and equitable distribution of funding and services to artists of all kinds. We need voices at the table from artists who are creating and sharing their stories from many different and wonderful backgrounds, and they need to be supported. Culture Works provides the opportunity for all those different voices to be heard and their creativity to be experienced, which makes our community that much richer and more special.”

2024 marks the 50th year of Culture Works sustaining, promoting, and advocating for the arts community in the Dayton Region. Formed in 1974 as the Dayton Arts Fund, the organization was charged with raising funds for arts groups in critical need. Individuals and businesses were asked for contributions by volunteers whose goal was to increase the number of donors to the arts. Robert A. Kerr, one of the organizers of the Arts Fund, identified the orchestra, ballet, and opera as the areas of “most critical current need,” and noted “the Dayton Arts Fund later might be expanded to include groups other than the three now covered.” (Journal Herald of October 18, 1974) Additional recipients of Campaign for the Arts funding were added including the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Muse Machine, The Human Race Theatre Company, the Springfield Symphony, and more.

During its 50 years, Culture Works has adapted to meet the changing needs of the arts community. Bing Davis, Artistic Chair of the 2024 Campaign for the Arts, was part of the 1992 community initiative that led to the merger of the arts fund with the Miami Valley Arts Council, to become the Miami Valley Arts Alliance. The organization became both a united arts fund and a local arts agency, adding to the region we serve and to our mission. In 1994, the Arts Alliance was rebranded as Culture Works.

As a United Arts Fund, Culture Works still raises funds for arts organization’s most critical needs, but also introduced a grants panel review system that invites community voices into decisions regarding dispersal of community supported grant funding. As a Local Arts Agency, Culture Works advocates for the inclusion of art and artists in development projects, pursues local, state, and national funding, provides support and services for arts organizations, runs artist support programs–including professional development for individual artists–develops outreach to build connections between the creative and business sectors, and initiatives that improve our community and our schools.

The annual Campaign for the Arts, which is Culture Works’ principal grants program, unites gifts from individual donors, corporate supporters, and workplace giving campaigns into funding for Community Arts Grants. Community volunteers award general operating support to local arts organizations through an open panel application review process.

Culture Works Call For Grant Panelists

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Culture Works, the Dayton Region’s united arts fund and local art agency, seeks community members with knowledge of and passion for the arts to serve on the grant panels and selection committees that will award 2024-2025 funding to local artists and organizations through the following programs:

  • Artist Opportunity Grant: Project support for individual artists in Montgomery County (funded by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District)
  • Community Arts Grant: Operating support for Dayton Region arts and cultural organizations
  • Leonard P. Roberts Scholarship: Scholarships for Dayton Region college students and graduating high school seniors
  • Special Projects Grant: Project support for Montgomery County nonprofits, schools, colleges/universities, municipalities, and government agencies (funded by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District)

Most panels are composed of 5-8 panelists. Panelists review and score applications independently over the course of several weeks before coming together as a group to discuss their findings and determine their funding recommendations at a virtual public meeting. Check out the Grant Panelist Fact Sheet to learn more about each funding program and panelists’ responsibilities.

To nominate yourself or someone you know for panel service, please complete a panelist nomination form here.

Panelists are selected based on their knowledge of and involvement in the arts, business and nonprofit management, and the community. Nominations are considered on an ongoing basis as panel positions open. Because of the limited number of panel positions, not all nominees can be selected to serve in a given year, but Culture Works retains all nominations for consideration in future funding cycles.

Being a grant panelist provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the region’s arts community and to become engaged in making important decisions regarding financial support of the arts in the Dayton Region. Prior panelists report that they enjoyed having the opportunity to network with fellow panelists, all of whom share an interest in the arts.

For more information, please contact Karen Maner, Culture Works Director of Grantmaking, at kmaner@culturew​orks.org.

Culture Works “Our Town” Grant To Help Pre-Professional Artists

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Our Town is a creative placemaking initiative administered by the National Endowment for the Arts. Through project-based funding, the program supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities. Our Town projects advance local economic, physical, or social outcomes in communities, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change and centering equity

Culture Works, the Dayton Region’s local arts agency and united arts fund, has been awarded a $50,000 Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This is the second grant Culture Works has received from the NEA in less than 12 months. Our Town Dayton will mobilize local artists to create a community-developed art installation at the Edgemont Solar Garden in West Dayton. Culture Works will use Our Town funding to train a core team of regional artists and financially support their efforts to physically transform a neighborhood amenity into an icon of community pride that fosters connections with the people and businesses surrounding it. These artists will also gain valuable planning and business skills that will enable them to benefit economically from their creative work as they move forward in their professional careers.

Are you a pre-professional artist who wants to earn a living through your creative work? Our Town Dayton is an ideal opportunity for you to learn from other local professional artists while participating in a community-based art project. You will gain valuable insight into the business-side of being an artist, and you will help transform a part of our community. Space is limited, so sign up today!

Applications for this program will be accepted through the end of business on Thursday, December 15. Artists who are selected to continue with the program will be notified by January 8, 2023.

Culture Works to Manage Dayton Arcade Events

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Culture Works has signed a multi-year agreement with Cross Street Partners to provide event management services for the Dayton Arcade.

“When we launched our rebranding efforts in 2018, we made the definitive statement that Culture Works sits at the intersection of culture and community,” said Lisa Hanson, Executive Director for Culture Works. “We believe that the Dayton Arcade will be the physical representation of that ideal. This partnership will give us the ability to fuse local arts and culture into the daily operations of one of the most innovative working spaces in the country, and it will bring additional funding to our arts organizations and cultural institutions.”

When the South Arcade opens to the public in 2021, it will feature two unique event spaces – the Rotunda, which can accommodate seated groups of more than 700, and the Tank, a unique theater in the round underneath the Rotunda which can comfortably hold gatherings of 150 or more. Culture Works, as the Dayton Region’s local arts agency and united arts fund, represents more than 180 organizations throughout an eight-county service area and is uniquely positioned to activate these spaces with performances, exhibitions, and events utilizing local talent.

 

“From the beginning, we’ve always envisioned the arts as being a part of the activity inside the Arcade,” said Dave Williams, Senior Development Director for Cross Street Partners. “So, when we started having conversations with Culture Works about their move into the facility, it naturally led to this agreement to maximize the potential for the space.”

Kevin Tunstall

Both the Rotunda and the Tank will be available to rent for private events. Cross Street Partners has already received dozens of calls from individuals and organizations looking to utilize the South Arcade for a variety of events—from weddings to large fundraisers. By engaging a nonprofit organization like Culture Works into the event management process, proceeds from these rentals will be used to create a new revenue stream that will provide additional funding opportunities for local arts organizations.

Individuals and organizations interested in touring and renting event space at the South Arcade should contact Kevin Tunstall, Events Director for Culture Works, at 937.222.2445 or send an email to [email protected].

17 Montgomery County Artists Awarded Opportunity Grants for 2020

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The Artist Opportunity Grant program, which is funded by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District (MCACD) and administered by Culture Works, provides funding for Montgomery County artists of all disciplines to pursue professional development opportunities and complete new works. Applications for funding are reviewed by an independent panel of artists, arts administrators, educators, and community leaders.

Who Makes Dayton’s Best Martini?

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On Thursday, Sept 11th from 6-8pm you’ll have the chance to sample and select Dayton’s Best Martini. In the second year for ARTINI, this fundraiser for Culture Works, will take place at The Grande Hall.  Local mixologists have been challenged to create an art inspired martini for the event.

Funds raised at this event will support the mission of Culture Works, our local arts advocacy organization that strives to support a vibrant and attractive community. From providing inspiring educational opportunities for our children, to attracting and retaining employees in our region, to adding beauty and entertainment to our lives.

 

Local bartenders and mixologists will be crafting art-inspired martinis for you to sample and select your favorites. Each bartender’s table will have their inspiration image displayed next to their mini-martini tastings. Judging from some of the  names of the cocktails: Water Lilies, Cherry Blossoms, Metamorphosis, Purple Rain, The Rose Blush, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the creativity of these bartenders will certainly be on display.

Last year’s champion Tara Goffe from Milano’s will be there to defend her title as will representatives  from Smith’s Boathouse, Miami Valley Gaming, Watermark Restaurant, Mack’s Tavern, Salar, Table 33, Stillwrights and Lily’s Bistro.

You’ll also have a chance to experience the creation of art at the event.  Boy Blue will be doing his live inkwork at the event.  Jes McMillan from the Mosaic Institute has created a mosaic piece inspired by the ARTINI logo and guests at the event will able to help create a piece of work on the spot.  Both art pieces will be raffled off at the end of the evening

ARTINI

The Grande Hall at Liberty Tower
120 W. Second Street

5:30pm – 8:00pm (VIP tickets) $50
6:00pm – 8:00pm $30

Purchase tickets online.
General admission tickets will be available at the door for $35.

All guests must be 21 or over.

 

Culture Works Unveils a New Look

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Culture Works has announced a new logo and brand as the organization prepares to enter its 45th year serving the Dayton Region.

“We’re looking to the future—not only of our organization, but of the community as a whole,” said Culture Works Executive Director Lisa Hanson. “Our vision for the arts in the Dayton Region is one of collaboration, dynamism, and expansion. It’s time for our brand to reflect that vision.”

The organization revealed the new logo at its annual meeting on November 1st to a crowd of longtime supporters, community leaders, and arts partners.

Over the course of its history, Culture Works has undergone many significant changes, starting out as the Dayton Performing Arts Fund and later merging with the Miami Valley Arts Council to expand into a regional body which advocates for cultural organizations in a broader geographical area. Throughout this evolution, however, Culture Works’ core mission has remained the same: Strengthening the Dayton Region through the power of the arts.

Rather than an organizational change of course, the new logo represents an enhancement and expansion of Culture Works’ existing roles in the community. In designing the new logo, Culture Works staff and board members sought inspiration from the organization’s rich history and vision for the future. The intersecting lines represent community collaboration, the myriad ways the arts touch our lives every day, and Culture Works’ role as a connector between arts, education, business, government, and individuals. The new color palette represents the vibrancy of our cultural community and the ways in which artists and artistic disciplines feed into and complement one another. Finally, the logo’s circular shape represents unity—a unified voice for the arts, a unified Dayton Region.

The new logo is only the beginning. In the coming months, Culture Works will launch a new website, a new video celebrating individual artists in the Dayton community, and a new arts education portal designed to connect the region’s educators with transformative arts experiences from local organizations.

Learn more at cultureworks.org.

2018 Campaign for the Arts Kickoff

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Culture Works invites you to join us in celebrating the start of the 2018 Campaign for the Arts!  On Tuesday, March 6th at 4pm, the community is invited to join us in the Flight Deck at UD Arena to celebrate the start of the 2018 Arts Campaign.

The annual Campaign for the Arts provides grant funding to the arts organizations that make the Dayton Region a vibrant place to live, work, and play. This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the Dayton Region’s arts, hear what’s planned for this year’s Campaign, and meet our Honorary Campaign Chairs, University of Dayton President Dr. Eric Spina and Karen Spina. Entertainment and light refreshments will be provided.

(Park in the lot between Welcome Stadium and the arena; enter arena on that side.)

Eat. Drink. Arts!

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Next week, join Culture Works for the first ever Eat.Drink.Arts—a collaborative effort bringing together culinary, visual, and performing artists to cultivate and enhance resources for our visual and performing arts community.

January 16-21, 2018, enjoy creative cocktails, inspired menus, and one-of-a-kind arts experiences at your favorite Dayton-area restaurants. A smorgasbord of area eateries are partnering with Culture Works to satisfy your palate and stimulate your artistic senses—all while supporting local arts organizations.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, Jan 16th, 7pm – Blue Note Bistro & Lounge
Enjoy a meat and cheese plate and bottle of house wine for just $35/couple while you enjoy Deron Bell & Daniel Cook in a dueling piano battle. Request your favorite song and be prepared to sing along. Doors open at 5pm for seating.

Tuesday, Jan 16th, 5-9pm – Brixx Ice Company
Dine on an 8oz premium center-cut sirloin grilled to perfection with your choice of two sides. Dare to Defy will present scenes from their upcoming production of Tommy at 6:30pm. Just $15/person

Tuesday, Jan 16th, 6pm – Christopher’s Restaurant
Chef Don Warfe has created vegetarian cuisine dinner. First Course: Sweet potato pancakes topped with herbed ricotta and caramelized tomato jam.  Second Course: San Marzano tomatoes, broccoli, and grilled radicchio, over rigatoni. Smothered in porcini cream sauce and garnished with toasted walnuts and shaved parmesan. Third Course: Banana pecan crisp, with bourbon glazed figs and vanilla bean ice cream.

With a sneak preview of the Human Race’s upcoming Erma Bombeck show. $25/person meal only; $30/person with wine pairing.

Wednesday, Jan 17th, 6-9pm – Mudlick Tap House
Earth, Water, Fire & Air: A Food & Art Experience
A private four-course elements-themed dinner with select wine pairings! Featuring a sneak peek of the upcoming DVAC exhibition, Stratum, the artists Amy Kollar Anderson & Kate Huser Santucci will create a painting during the dinner in a lightning round collaboration. $55/person

Wednesday, Jan 17th 4-8pm Whole Foods
Bring the family by for this delicious Family Meal Deal (eat in or take to-go) which includes 1 Large Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza, 1 Bucket of Wings (Flavors: Plain, BBQ, & Buffalo) and 1 Two Liter of 365 Soda for $25 and for an extra $5 your kids can create their own work of art with the help of K12 Gallery- No advance ticket needed.

Thursday, Jan 18th, 6-8pm – Texas Beef & Cattle Company
Dine on authentic South Texas-style BBQ while watching The Mural Machine in action! Brisket, Sausage or Pulled Pork Plate (comes with 2 sides) for dinner with banana pudding and tea or lemonade. $20/person

Thursday, Jan 18th, 6pm – Old Scratch Pizza
A three-course dinner curated by Chef Nate. This will not be your typical pizzeria dinner! It will include a beverage, a special appetizer, salad, and a unique, arts- themed pizza –paired with music from a classical-jazz crossover quartet with violin, bass, guitar, and keyboard from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. $20/person

Friday, Jan 19th, 6:30pm – Amber Rose Restaurant
Enjoy a four-course dinner paired with a taste of the arts
First Course: Charcuterie Board, Second: Butternut Squash Soup, Third: Smoked Bone-in Pork Chop topped with Cinnamon Apple chutney served with Savory Smashed Sweet Potatoes, Fourth: Chocolate Mousse with fresh berries. Just $35/person
More details to come…

Sunday, Jan 21st, 11am and 1pm – Table 33
You’ll enjoy a brunch entree with a mimosa/cocktail and performance by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Seating at 11am or 1pm. $25/person

Sunday, Jan 21st – Dublin Pub
Enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner and 10% of your bill will be donated to Culture Works. Entertainment by Firecreek, a young bluegrass and traditional country band.

Join us and raise a glass for the arts. Together, we can keep art and culture thriving in the Dayton Region.

BUY TICKETS

$38K in Grants Awarded to Local Artists

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Fifteen Montgomery County artists have been selected to receive grants in 2018 through the Artist Opportunity Grant program, which is funded by the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (MCACD) and administered by Culture Works.

The Artist Opportunity Grant program, now in its second year, provides funding for Montgomery County artists of all disciplines to pursue professional development opportunities and complete new works. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of artists, arts administrators, educators, and community leaders.

Based on the funding recommendations made by the panelists at a public meeting in mid-November, a total of $37,975 will be awarded to this cycle’s grantees:

  • Bridgette Bogle – Visual Artist; Assistant Professor of Art, Sinclair Community College
  • Christie Cerio – Theatre Manager, Town Hall Theatre; Artistic Director, Madame Gigi’s Outrageous French CanCan Dancers
  • Morris Howard – Visual Artist, Educator
  • Shelley Jagow – Musician; Professor of Music, Wright State University
  • Julie Jones – Photographer
  • Amy Kollar Anderson – Visual Artist
  • Annie Lee-Zimerle – Visual Artist
  • James McCutcheon – Guitarist, Educator
  • Marsha Pippenger – Visual Artist, Educator
  • Danielle Rante – Visual Artist; Associate Professor of Printmaking and Drawing, Wright State University
  • Sarah Robertson – Musician, Educator
  • Sharon Short – Novelist; Executive Director, Antioch Writers’ Workshop
  • Shawanda Smith – Vocalist
  • Shon Walters – Visual Artist; Owner, Eccentric Wood
  • Joel Whitaker – Photographer

Projects and opportunities being funded by this grant cycle include: the creation of a new mural on Jefferson Street; local exhibitions of paintings and papier collé tapestries; the recording of two albums of original work; and participation in artist residencies, retreats, and workshops in Massachusetts, Tennessee, Switzerland, and Iceland.

The program was originally budgeted to award $30,000 this year, but the amount was increased to accommodate an abundance of strong applications. Matt Dunn, Executive Director of MCACD said, “We are pleased by the caliber of the artists that applied and impressed by the opportunities they wanted to pursue.” He continued, “We were happy to increase the funding to make more opportunities available, and we look forward to the artists sharing their work with the broader community in the coming year.”

To learn more about this year’s grantees, visit cultureworks.org/artistgrants.

Scholarships for Students with Passion For The Arts

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Culture Works is now accepting applications for the 2018 Leonard P. Roberts Scholarship–open to Dayton Region high school seniors and college students with a passion for the arts.

The Culture Works Leonard P. Roberts Scholarship was established in 1993 in honor of Mr. Roberts, who was Chairman of the Dayton Performing Arts Fund (now Culture Works) at the time of his death. Since the first scholarships were awarded in 1994, $392,600 from the Leonard P. Roberts Scholarship Fund has been provided to 186 students to assist them in their educational pursuits.
Culture Works is pleased to offer scholarships to students who demonstrate participation in and patronage of the arts. Candidates must be graduating high school seniors living in the Dayton Region (Butler, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble or Warren County) or college students at any level who live in and attend college in the Dayton Region. Priority will be given to students majoring in arts disciplines, business, and engineering; however, all majors may apply. Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 – $4,000.

 

Scholarship Criteria:
• Plan to be a full-time student for the entire upcoming academic year
• Demonstrate participation in the arts
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
How to Apply:
The 2018 scholarship application is available through The Dayton Foundation’s ScholarshipCONNECT. Students will need to create a user account on the ScholarshipCONNECT website and complete the general application in order to apply. The deadline for applications is March 9, 2018. Applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications in the spring.

Montgomery County Grants For Artists

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Culture Works and the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District (MCACD) are pleased to announce the return of the Artist Opportunity Grant program for 2017.

The program, which is funded by MCACD and administered by Culture Works, provides grants to help artists take advantage of specific, imminent opportunities for professional development and the creation or completion of new work. Individual artists of all disciplines–writers, painters, photographers, actors, musicians, dancers, sculptors, film makers and more–are invited to apply. Applicants must reside in Montgomery County, and grant funded-activities must be completed during calendar year 2018.

$30,000 in funding is available for the 2017 grant cycle. Awards are expected to range from $250-$2,500 and cannot exceed $3,000. Artists can apply through the Culture Works website from August 1 through September 30, 2017. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel later in the fall.

In 2016, the first year of the grant program, six artists received funding to complete local and international exhibitions, artist residencies, and professional training in music and theatre.

“MCACD is happy to support individual artists through this partnership with Culture Works,” said Matt Dunn, Executive Director. “The District and the County Commissioners recognize the richness individual artists and arts organizations add to our quality of life. Artists can choose to live anywhere and we want them to live here and to thrive,” said Dunn.

“For the arts to flourish and enhance community life, there must be ideas, energy, and drive of individual artists. Artists cannot make these contributions without unhampered creative time,” said Culture Works Executive Director Lisa Hanson. “This is a remarkable opportunity for individual artists in Montgomery County. I look forward to seeing the life-inspiring work that these grants will help support.”

More details about the competitive grant process are available on cultureworks.org/artistgrants.

 

Culture Works Announces New Director

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The Culture Works Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Hanson as Executive Director, effective immediately. Hanson succeeds Martine Meredith Collier, who left the organization late last year to serve as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida.

Hanson brings a wealth of experience in fundraising and community engagement to the role. An entrepreneur, educator, performer, and seasoned nonprofit executive, she served most recently as the Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio.

Hanson’s appointment comes as the result of an extensive nationwide search. “Culture Works is a community organization, so we were very intentional about involving the community in this process,” said Steve Petitjean, Chair of the Culture Works Board of Trustees. “Before starting the interviews, we met with key stakeholders and arts partners to get a good understanding of the type of leader they envisioned taking our arts community to the next level. When our search committee met with Lisa, we saw immediately that she has the right mix of fundraising experience, creativity, collaborative nature, and a deep knowledge of our arts community.”

A native of South Florida, Hanson has lived in Dayton for 22 years and has served as a nonprofit executive for nearly a decade. During her tenure at the Epilepsy Foundation, she managed programs and services reaching over 11 counties, introduced an innovative art therapy program, Studio E, to the Dayton Region, and directed one of the region’s largest and top-rated fundraising events, Mud Volleyball, which draws over 5,000 attendees each year. As a public speaker, she was most recently invited to speak at a national conference on growing community engagement through successful fundraising events. She is also an award-winning, classically trained vocalist who has performed in Carnegie Hall and internationally. In Dayton, she can be seen on stage performing with the Dayton Opera Chorus and as a professional soloist.

“Throughout my years in Dayton, I have witnessed the evolution of our city’s unique arts landscape,” said Hanson. “This is thanks to the commitment of organizations and passionate individuals unifying to preserve and nurture all that defines this collective culture. I am truly honored to join such a dedicated team of individuals to share in promoting Dayton’s creative culture–preserving its legacy and investing in its future. Together, we are the seed planters.”
Hanson received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Miami, School of Music in Miami, Florida. The focus of her graduate work was vocal performance and pedagogy at Northeast Louisiana University.

Over the next few weeks, Hanson will meet with members of the cultural community to discuss current initiatives. Next month, Culture Works will bring together a group of local arts representatives to make legislative visits as part of Arts Day, an annual advocacy event in Columbus. “Lisa is an excellent organizer and advocate,” Petitjean added. “She’s going to be a powerful voice for the Dayton Region’s arts and culture, and we’re excited to be a part of putting her ideas into action.”