culture works

Montgomery County Grants For Artists

July 19, 2017 By Dayton Most Metro

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

April 11, 2017 By Lisa Grigsby

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.”

Montgomery County Awards Grants to 6 Local Artists

December 13, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Six Montgomery County artists have been awarded grants for professional development opportunities through a new program funded by the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District and administered by Culture Works.

The Artist Opportunity Grant program, announced earlier this year, invites individual artists of all disciplines to apply for funding to support career-enhancing professional development opportunities, such as residencies, conferences, and exhibitions. 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, $11,022 will be awarded to this year’s grantees: Nicholaus Arnold, gallery director at The Blue House Gallery and an instructor of printmaking and photography at several local institutions; Glenna Jennings, a visual artist and assistant professor at the University of Dayton; Ashley Jonas, co-founder of The Blue House Gallery and an adjunct professor; Gina Handy Minyard, founding artistic director of Magnolia Theatre Company and theatre magnet director at Stivers School for the Arts; Christin Rondeau, a soprano, voice teacher, and director of the St. George’s Orff Ensemble; and Francis Schanberger, a prolific photographer.

Opportunities being funded by this grant cycle include local and international exhibitions, two artist residencies, and professional training in music and theatre. Minyard received funding to pursue certification in the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique, which isn’t currently taught anywhere in Dayton. “As actors, we are always looking for new ways to uncover truth and bring that to the characters we portray,” she said. “The opportunity to learn and share this technique helps me to attract artists who are looking for professional training, as well as bring my students at Stivers another way of approaching a role.”

Matt Dunn, Executive Director of MCACD, emphasized that the panelists considered not only the quality of applicants’ work but also evidence of their commitment to strengthening the local network of artists and the community as a whole. “Since this was the first year of the grant program, it was important to the panelists that we set a standard of excellence,” he said. “Our six grantees are individuals who are not only producing incredible artistic work but who are constantly challenging and expanding the role of art in our community.”

$30,000 in Artist Opportunity Grants Now Available

September 23, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Culture Works has just announced a partnership with the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District (MCACD) to provide Artist Opportunity Grants. Through this public-private partnership, MCACD will award $30,000 to Culture Works for the purpose of supporting the professional development of individual artists who reside in Montgomery County.

These artist grants will be awarded for opportunities that will help artists complete a project or pursue career-enhancing professional development, such as residencies, working with master artists, etc. Individual artists of all disciplines–writers, painters, photographers, actors, musicians, dancers, sculptors, film makers and more–are eligible to apply.

The application is now available on the Culture Works website for this competitive grant process, which includes an application and public review by an independent panel. Grant-funded activities must take place during the calendar year 2017. Grants are expected to range from $250-$2,500 and cannot exceed $3,000. The application deadline is October 17, 2016.

“MCACD’s mission is to support, nurture, and encourage the development and preservation of our arts and cultural community, and this includes artists,” said Matt Dunn, MCACD Executive Director. “It’s important to invest in individuals just as we do organizations because they make up the fabric of the community,” said Dunn.

Capacity building for individual artists through grants and incentives is a major goal of Culture Connects 20/20, the regional cultural plan facilitated by Culture Works. The partnership between Culture Works and MCACD is an important first step toward achieving this goal. “Montgomery County has long valued the cultural amenities of our community and the role that they play in both enhancing our quality of life and attracting business and investment,” says Culture Works President & CEO Martine Meredith Collier. “Culture Works looks forward to this partnership and working with the outstanding individual artists that we are so blessed to have in our community.”

Culture Connects 20/20: Cultural Plan Rollout

April 21, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Imagine an even more vital and creative Dayton Region, one where everyone can find some creative activity they enjoy, where it’s easy to find out what’s going on anywhere in the Region, where people from all over and from all backgrounds and of all ages come together around their common passions. Where the arts help our young people learn and think creatively, and where cultural assets help sell our Region to talented engineers and executives. This is a sample of what can emerge from Culture Connects 20/20, our Regional Cultural Plan.

For the past year, Culture Works has organized meetings with government and community leaders, staff and board members of cultural organizations, and interested citizens to discuss the future of the arts in the Dayton Region. Join us in this adventure! Come listen to what we’ve learned and what we propose. Add your thoughts and your voice to the effort. The Plan is ready for prime time and the work is just beginning!

Culture Works To Roll Out Crowdfunding Model

January 23, 2014 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

When over 120 nonprofit professionals show up for an 8:30am meeting on a frigid morning, you know there’s something major about to happen. This morning Culture Works introduced an online giving model, Power2give, an online cultural marketplace designed to connect donors with projects they are passionate about.

Originated in Charlotte, North Carolina after their arts community took a major downturn in 2008, the model has now been successfully implemented in over 20 markets, including Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Locally CareSource was the first supporter of the program, and host of this mornings meeting. DP &L has also stepped up to become major supporter for the launch of the program, with a $50,000 match to funds donated through the online site . Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District announced they will also be providing $10,000 in matching funds. Over the next month or so, local nonprofits will begin learning about Power2give and the site will go live on March 6th.

Perry Mixter, from the Charlotte Arts & Science Council, in town for the training today shared some pretty impressive statistics with the group this morning. In Louisville’s first year using the crowdfunding model, 81% of the donors were first time arts donors and the average gift was $50. Power2give sites have raised over $4.5 million dollars since the programs debut in August of 2011. Projects of $10,000 and under will be presented for up to 90 days and Culture Works will collect funds and grant them to the arts group within 15 days of a project closing.

Stay tuned for more exciting info on Power2give!

Culture Works Seeks Feedback

August 18, 2011 By Megan Cooper Leave a Comment

Take the Survey Here.

What do you think Culture Works does?

What do you think it SHOULD be doing?

Culture Works, the region’s arts fund and service agency, is going through some changes, and they want your input. This spring, Martine Meredith Collier came to the Dayton region as the new Executive Director/CEO of Culture Works. Martine has brought extensive experience including work as the Director of Development and Membership for Grantmakers in the Arts (Seattle, WA) and as the Executive Director of Sarasota County Arts Council (Sarasota, Florida). But Dayton is a unique community with different needs, so Martine wants to hear from you.

The Bach Society of Dayton

Culture Works is asking you to tell them about their effectiveness by taking a short survey. Martine shares her vision for what the survey will provide:

“Effective organizational decision making is dependent on good information, and good information comes from knowing how your community perceives your value and effectiveness. In the current economic climate, it becomes even more important to assure that programs and services are relevant, cost-effective, and provide value. A survey of this nature can be of enormous assistance in aligning organizational outcomes to community needs.”

Culture Works has been hard at work advocating to our government leaders (hip, hip hooray for an increase in arts funding!), providing funding and business support to many arts organizations, raising the national status of the arts community, and connecting individuals and organizations throughout the region with arts opportunities and benefits. But are they doing what they should be doing?

A photo from Social Media Night at the Dayton Art Institute

It’s a tough economy and the old rules don’t always apply. So, Culture Works is asking for your feedback on what programming is most beneficial as they move forward to strengthen the organization. Regardless of who you are or how much you have given (if at all), they want to know how YOU define Culture Works. Culture Works is a regional organization, so they want to know what the people of the region need.

So it’s your turn to tell Culture Works how they’re doing as they look forward. Take the survey today!

What is Culture Works?

Culture Works is the united arts fund and arts service agency for the Greater Dayton region. Creating and maintaining a vibrant and attractive community filled with quality arts brings measurable and immeasurable value to our community. From providing inspiring educational opportunities to our children, to attracting and retaining employees to our region, to adding beauty and entertainment to our lives, the arts reflect all the best and most beautiful parts of who we are. Culture Works is proud to be the largest provider of general operating support for the many non-profit arts organizations operating in Greater Dayton. We are privileged to partner with corporations, foundations and individuals like you to secure a flourishing, creative environment for area residents of all ages and backgrounds.
~From their Web site

Jane’s Best Bets (6/22 – 6/26)

June 21, 2011 By Dayton937 2 Comments

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Holy moly, there are a ton of things going on this week! Speaking of “holy,” this week there are several church festivals…plus many more great events. Let’s check them out!

On Wednesday during your lunch hour, get moving with The Square Is Where… Dayton YMCA Presents Zumba at Courthouse Square. If you feel like having a drink, head to A.Y.O.B. at Archer’s Tavern, where a new craft beer will be featured starting at 5PM or to Franco’s for Dayton Green Drinks, where they will be discussing the Pathways out of Poverty Program. I do believe it is officially summer, so even though you may not be taking that big European vacation you’ve dreamed about, you can still have a Summer Around The World Wine Dinner at The Wine Loft. If cycling is your thing, you will not want to miss seeing Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America, being featured at The Neon. All women who are looking for an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of others in the Dayton area should consider attending the Junior League of Dayton New Member Social. This amazing group makes great contributions to our community, and you have the opportunity to be a part of it…as long as you’re not a man! If you’re in need of a good laugh, make your way to Wiley’s for their Dirty Little Secret Sideshow – Deuxième Exécution. And if you’re a Harley lover that also enjoys live music, head to Jackass Flats for Buddha & The Boogie Down Gig/Bike Night.

On Thursday, complete some of your grocery shopping at the Centerville Farmers Market. If you work or volunteer for a non-profit, consider helping the cause by attending Orientation to the Grants Information Center at the Dayton Metro Library’s main branch. You will be able to hear live music at the Dayton Art Institute as part of their Twilight Concert. Jim McCutcheon, a very talented guitarist (who also taught me two semesters worth of guitar when I was at UD!), will be one of the performers. If you wish to show a bit of your athleticism, make your way to Wings Sports Bar & Grille for their Weekly Cornhole Tournament. You know I’m corny, so I had to put that in here. And finally, if you have not yet had the opportunity to check out The Lion King at the Schuster Center, now is your chance!

On Friday, there are an enormous number of wonderful events from which to choose! In the afternoon, if you don’t have lunch plans, consider joining Generation Dayton for their 4th Friday Lunch Speaker Series. Or have some fun at Courthouse Square with the Team Void Summer Twist Party. In the evening, join me in attending the Hops Over the Moon Preview Party at the Boonshoft, which will feature too many great things to list…seriously! (For more info, check out this article.) If you’re in shape, run the 5th Annual 5 For the Kids 5K to benefit CARE House. And even if you’re not, that is okay too! There are several festivals happening around town, including the Fenwick Festival (my alma mater!), the Ascension Festival, and the St. Peter Parish Festival. At Yankee Trace, many people will be playing golf as part of the 2nd Annual Glow Fore Wishes Golf Scramble to benefit A Special Wish Foundation. Although registration is full for the event, there are still several sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, so if you are able to help, I encourage you to do so! And if you feel like catching a show, Hair Spray at La Comedia and The Lion King at the Schuster Center are possible options!

On Saturday, start the day off with another 5k – the First Annual Back to Health 5k, held at Indian Riffle Park. Up in Troy, get some great produce as part of the Troy Farmers Market. If you are a teacher, consider going to the Dayton Metro Library’s main branch for the Grants for Classroom Projects. There are a lot of family friendly options for Saturday, including the Family Fun Day Beach Party & Cruise in at Hueston Woods, the Fenwick Festival, the St. Peter Parish Festival, and the Ascension Festival. In addition, if you’re of the corny type, Ascension will have its very own Festival Cornhole Tournament. At RiverScape, rent a kayak and ride the river. Make sure you wear a life jacket as I once flipped over in an “unflippable” kayak, or so I’m told. Just leave it to me to do the impossible (I’m sure this won’t happen to you, however)! In the evening, make your way to the Boonshoft (kids are welcome!) for Hops Over the Moon, which is sure to be a great time, and also supports a great cause! There are a couple other fun events, including the Clambake For Kids’ Sake at McCormick & Schmicks to support Big Brothers Big Sisters and Party Arty! at the Commander Aero Hangar (Dayton Wright Brothers Airport) to support Culture Works. Theater options include The Lion King (Schuster Center) and Hair Spray (La Comedia). And if you’re downtown and love summer concerts, listen to the sounds of Kick-n-Flava as part of the Free Summer Concert Series down at RiverScape. Wow, my fingers are getting tired from typing all this stuff going on around town!

On Sunday, if you (and your kids) have any energy left, make your way to one of the great festivals going on around town – the Fenwick Festival, the St. Peter Festival, or the Ascension Festival. If your kids are Disney lovers, consider taking them to Dayton Disneyana at the Holiday Inn close to the Dayton Mall. Listen to some of the best local female jazz vocalists as part of the Downtown Summer Music Series – Michelob Women in Jazz Festival at Dave Hall Plaza. Or at Veteran’s Park Amphitheater, listen to live music as part of World Music Fest! And finally, hurry up and get to the Schuster Center to see The Lion King if you haven’t already done so!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

How does a man on the moon cut his hair?

Eclipse it.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar. There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today! Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE! And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Calzones, Community & Culture Works: Help Milano’s support local arts in Dayton

May 2, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

On select days in May, Milano’s Atlantic City Submarines will be doing their part to help support Dayton’s rich and vibrant arts community.

Every Wednesday in May, Milano’s will donate 20% of each sale to Culture Works, the united arts fund and service agency that provides funds and services for many non-profit art agencies in the Greater Dayton area.

All three restaurant locations are participating in the promotion.

Present this flyer to a staff member at Milano’s on the designated days to donate a portion of your sale to Culture Works.