By Michelle Kinsey—
MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement is now accepting proposals for the 2024 Community Engagement for the Arts (CEFTA) Grant.
This competitive grant program provides up to $35,000 annually to an East Central Indiana community arts-focused organization or program.
Application deadline is 5 p.m. ET March 29. To apply for the grant or for more information, go to https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/community-engagement/arts-grant-application.
The Community Engagement for the Arts Grant affirms Ball State’s commitment to community engagement with the greater arts community of East Central Indiana, by promoting broad participation and equitable access to our various community arts organizations. This grant will provide the means for such organizations to propose projects that meld our priorities and strengths (as determined by Ball State University) to deliver novel, engaging experiences to our communities.
“We are privileged to again offer this opportunity to the arts community of East Central Indiana, and we are excited to see what the applicants propose,” said Jackie Buckrop, Special Assistant for Academic Operations and Teaching Professor in Communication Studies at Ball State, who leads the CEFTA committee.
“Projects which speak directly to the university’s mission, enduring values, and the Beneficence Pledge are of particular interest, but the committee welcomes all proposals that allow us to enhance arts offerings and benefit the community.”
Applicants for the CEFTA Grant must be nonprofit organizations or public entities within the East Central Indiana region, including Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, and Wayne counties. To be considered, proposals must outline a specific, arts-focused project, event, or series that is accessible to the public and has a strong community component.
The recipient of the 2023 grant was the Hoosier Shakespeare Festival, headquartered in Marion. Hoosier Shakespeare Festival takes live performances of classic Shakespeare plays on the road to communities in Grant, Wabash, Howard, and Delaware counties.
“We are so grateful for this grant,” said Dennis Henry, the festival’s artistic director, after receiving the grant in 2023. “This funding will allow us to reach a broader audience by providing programming all year round, such as First Fridays or at community libraries, as well as promote the events more widely.”
For more information, contact Bianca Sulanke in the Office of Community Engagement, at besulanke@bsu.edu.
