GRANTS » Community Arts Grants

Grant Program Background

The Community Arts Regranting Program was initiated by the Wisconsin Arts Board to encourage local cooperation and expansion of arts opportunities throughout the state. The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin was the recipient of a $25,000 state grant in July of 2011. Those funds were supplemented by a grant from the Community Foundation's Wausau•Marathon County Fund, matched by the B.A. and Esther Greenheck Foundation, and in-turn, are being invested back into the community for local agencies to implement quality arts programming.

Grant Guidelines

We will consider proposals from established arts organizations or any nonprofit group with an innovative arts program that will benefit our area. Proposals are scored by the review panel in the following categories: 

  • Community Need;
  • Quality or Artistic Merit;
  • Community Outreach and Impact;
  • Feasibility and Accountability of the organization to fulfill the project goals.

All applicants will be invited to attend the Open Meeting Panel Review, which will be scheduled within three weeks of the application due date.

The following criteria must be met:

  • The project must be an arts or art-related activity, defined broadly
  • There must be a public component to the program
  • The sponsoring organization must be a nonprofit entity
  • The grant request cannot exceed 50% of the total project costs
  • Maximum grant awards are $4,000
  • Projects must be completed by June 30, 2013

The Wisconsin Arts Board, the B.A .& Esther Greenheck Foundation, and the Community Foundation must be recognized in all publicity if a project is funded. Failure to do so could jeopardize funding received. Grant recipients are also required to submit a final grant report within one year of the grant award.

Further assistance in the application process is available by contacting Sue Nelson (sue@cfoncw.org), Program Manager, at the Community Foundation office.

Community Arts Grants Awarded

Community Arts Grants were awarded for the following projects and programs in the 2011 cycle (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012), that reinforce the quality and diversity of The Arts in Marathon County and beyond.

Center for the Visual Arts: $2,046
A Lofty Idea supported various exhibits featuring local and regional artists in the CVA's public loft gallery

Central Wisconsin Children's Theatre: $2,266
In addition to three public performances of "Pinkalicious," this show will also tour to local elementary schools

Edgar Middle School Forensics Program: $1,386
Missoula Children's Theatre will join the community in presenting "The Tortoise and the Hare" as a part of a week-long residency, which will be companioned by an art exhibition of student works entitled "Enchanted Forest" 

Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum: $2,383
A week-long residency with Minnesota artist Wendy Brockman entitled, "New Leaf: The Art of Botanical Painting" will include a student summer art camp and public workshops, in-gallery drawing demonstrations, and a gallery walk 

Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum: $2,490
A residency with author/artist James Gurney will introduce students and the community at large to his creativity, imagination, and the inspiration that led to his creation of the acclaimed "Dinotopia" series 

Performing Arts Foundation: $2,276
A week-long residency with Yamma Ensemble, a folk group from Israel, will engage area citizens and students in a series of educational and community workshops and a series of public performances at the Grand between April 15-21, 2012

South Beach Chamber Ensemble: $2,158
An annual chamber music festival will include free public concerts, a radio broadcast on public radio, and several visits to local assisted living facilities July 15-20, 2012

Wausau Community Theatre: $2,164
Support was given toward the production of community performance of "Doctor Dolittle," presented at The Grand Theater in March of 2012

Wausau Concert Band: $545
The Wausau community band expands their summer concert series to include an annual concert at the Rothschild Pavilion on August 2, 2012

Wausau Conservatory of Music: $2,155
The 7th Annual Wausau Jazz Festival will bring students together for a day of workshops which will culminate with an evening concert by the students on January 21, 2012 at D.C. Everest Senior High School

Wausau Conservatory of Music: $1,929
Music educators from the area join together in providing string instrument students with an opportunity to work and perform in small groups at an annual Strings Camp

Wausau Conservatory of Music: $1,934
Summer Band Camp supports a rigorous 5-day educational program for students to acquire skills to create and perform and gain a life-long appreciation for music

Wausau Kayak/Canoe Corporation: $2,039
The opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships will showcase local musical talents as well as the Native American dance troupe, Blue Winds, July 10-15, 2012 in Wausau

Wausau Symphony and Band: $2,152
Students, teachers, retirees and professionals from all walks of life join together to entertain and educate in their 2011-12 concert series

YWCA Wausau: $2,077
The Arts and Culture Program provides art enrichment opportunity for young children in the YWCA childcare program