FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I haven’t ever written a grant before. Can you help me figure out how to get started?
A: We suggest that you attend one of the grant-writing workshops that are scheduled in February. These workshops will give you the basics for where to get started with your first grant!

Q: Can individuals apply for funding through this program?
A: Yes, individuals can apply. We have frequently funded artists for educational opportunities and/or public art projects. If you are applying as an individual, please remember to think about whether you need to reserve space, identify partners and consider other logistics issues.

Q: How much money should we ask for?
A: It, obviously, depends on your project, but these grants are usually in the $500-$2,500 range.

Q: How long will we have to spend the money?
A: Projects should be complete by March 31, 2023.

Q: Where does the funding come from for these grants?
A: The TopArts Grant program is made possible with funding from the City of Topeka and is administered by ArtsConnect. ArtsConnect commissioned an economic impact survey of the arts which was published in 2014. This began a series of strategic efforts to inform and educate city stakeholders about the importance of the arts in our community. We have been the organization offering key advocacy on this issue which has resulted in the establishment and maintenance of this funding. Since 2016, more than $180,000 has been granted into the community, reaching thousands of Topekans directly.

…stay tuned as we will add more FAQs as we receive feedback about the application process!

2021 TOPARTS GRANTEES

Artistic Expressions Healing Arts Initiative by artist John Sebelius This is an art-based healing program focused on improving quality of life for veterans suffering with PTS through art creation and self-exploration.

Backstage TPAC @ Topeka Performing Arts Center Backstage TPAC is a comprehensive arts education and outreach program through the Topeka Performing Arts Center targeting at-risk pre-k through high school youth. The program is multi-faceted and includes the Sheffel Theater Clinic, Schooltime Theater Series, Master Classes, Playhouse Theater and the Young Artists Awards.

Ballet Folklorico De Topeka: Mother's Day Presentation The Ballet Folklorico Mother’s Day Presentation honors mothers with a dance arts presentation by youth presenting dances from various regions of Mexico highlighting the importance of cultural heritage and tradition. Dances show influences from European occupation and introduced musical instruments and dances. These include Zapateros from Spain, polkas from Europe, African and Arabic influences noted in todays music styles and costumes.

Keeper of the Plains Mural @ Gil Carter Initiative by artist Alexander Lancaster The site of existing murals, the Gil Carter Initiative will undertake a mural featuring the Keeper of the Plains and a beach and flower garden scenery typical of the island nation of Grenada. The murals will be located near the intersection of 23rd & SE California Avenue.

Black Lives Matter Mural - Building Community @ Topeka Habitat for Humanity by artists Jordan E. Brooks & C. Dylan Barker Topeka Habitat has partnered with Black Lives Matter Topeka to make a statement that we welcome and embrace diversity. This mural will serve as a "bridge" between our current mural "Home is the Key" and a future mural partnership with Greater Topeka Partnership to create three murals representing Black, Hispanic and Native American heritage and history in our community.

Train Bridge Mural @ 45th & Topeka Blvd by Bring Back the Boulevard This mural will be painted on the concrete wing walls that are part of the train bridge spanning Topeka Blvd as a part of ongoing efforts to beautify and enhance the south Topeka Boulevard corridor.

Expanding Topeka Area Art Education Opportunities by Topeka Art Guild, Inc. Topeka Art Guild will renew offerings of afternoon and evening classes in order to provide opportunities for creating art. Each week, classes will be held on two afternoons and one evening with a focus on extending these opportunities to retirees.

Expressive Therapies for the Uninsured and Underinsured by Valeo Behavioral Healthcare The Expressive Therapies program provides art therapy and music therapy services through individual and group sessions. Expressive therapies are the use of creative arts therapies to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals. Goals of expressive therapies include coping with symptoms, managing distressing emotions, increasing positive self-image and self-expression, and building insight into challenges. Expressive therapies have been a successful treatment for a wide range of individuals.

FSGC Art Day at Home by Family Service & Guidance Center with artists Lila Bartel, Tina Brackman, Anne Kufahl, Gwen McClain, Jancy Pettit and Janet Zoble FSGC will hold Art Day at Home in which client children ages 8-18 may create artwork in a range of media at no charge with instruction from local artists. Children may choose one of eight projects curated and developed by local artists.

Handel's "Messiah" performed by the Spire Chamber Ensemble by Great Spaces Art & Music Series @ Grace Cathedral Handel's "Messiah" will be offered in December, 2021, as The Spire Chamber Ensemble's first full-scale concert to inaugurate their return to the performance stage. The ensemble (singers and baroque orchestra players) is considered one of the finest chamber music performing groups in the Midwest.

Ballet Stars - Kansas Ballet Company Kansas Ballet will offer six Ballet Stars summer camps in 2021. Each week-long camp will include 10 hours of instruction and will take place on site at select Boys and Girls Club units, SENT Topeka and the Salvation Army. At the end of the camp, students will perform for friends, family and peers at each location. Summer curriculum will focus on boosting physical fitness, literacy skills, memorization, cooperative learning and an introduction to dance history. Campers will also make their own costumes which they will wear at the final performance. On July 30th, the Kansas Ballet Company will perform "The Fairy Doll" live onstage at the Topeka Performing Arts Center and all Ballet Stars summer campers will be invited to attend as guests of Kansas Ballet.

KCFAA Topeka by Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey This grant is intended to support the participation of Topeka students in the KCFAA AileyCamp program. AileyCamp (AC), an early intervention program for urban children ages 11-14, makes dance accessible to students at two camp opportunities. The camps incorporate world class dance training and an introduction to the arts for students who would otherwise not have the opportunity.

Mindfulness Through Native American Art by artist LaRue Baker Art instructors will attend a two-day workshop which will enable them to teach art classes based on Cherokee language, traditional stories and mindfulness exercises. Participants will learn how to prepare materials, execute projects successfully and use Cherokee traditional teaching fundamentals in helping the students complete the projects. By offering instruction to art teachers, the lesson is magnified, multiplied and benefits many more students than would otherwise be possible.

Multicultural Community Art Project by Greater Topeka Partnership featuring artists Jamie Colon, Mona Cliff and George Mayfield @ Topeka Habitat for Humanity This trio of murals will share the history of Topeka through the lens of the African American, Native American and Latinx experience. Starting from the mid 1800's to present day, the history will be displayed as an asset to the community and as as major tourist attraction. The murals will address the history of the past, present and future of the minority communities linked to Topeka's heritage. Noted figures and structures will be displayed on the panels as they tell of successes and challenges.

Youth Outreach by On Stage Live with pianist Thomas Pandolfi & Thalea String Quartet USD 501 students will have the opportunity to experience the talents of these nationally-renowned touring artists during school hours. The artists will be visiting Topeka for evening performances as part of the On Stage Live concert series.

Profiles of Courage II by Heavenly Visions Foundation with photographer Yolanda Taylor Veterans and active duty personnel of the United States Armed Forces will visit with youth photographers in a classroom setting every other Saturday afternoon starting April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 to share their military experiences. During the sessions, the youth photographers will capture professional images of the men and women, create photo books and present them to the participating veterans on Veteran’s Day.

Sculpture Art in NOTO @ NOTO Arts & Entertainment District This grant will support the 2021 rotating sculpture program in the NOTO Arts District. Installation of the works is expected early in summer of 2021.

Summertime Blues In the Park by Topeka Blues Society @ Gage Park These live blues performances take place on the third Wednesday of each month from May-August at the Gage Part Amphitheatre. Free and open to the public, this program not only reinforces the cultural importance of the blues in America but also supports the artists and associated outreach opportunities.

Artistic Support for Sunflower Music Festival The 2021 Sunflower Music Festival will include a new work that has been commissioned for chamber orchestra by composer Libby Larson. The work includes narration and text that is related to the historical evolution of women's voting rights in the United States. Larsen has created a catalogue of over 500 works spanning virtually every genre from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral works and over 15 operas.

Sunrise Theatre Company 2021 Season Our intention is to mount four shows throughout the year 2021. Sunrise Theatre Company will present performances of "The Realistic Joneses" by Will Eno; "The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)" by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart; "Other Desert Cities" by Jon Robin Baitz; and "The Humans" by Stephen Karam. Performances will be available via live stream and will include small live audiences if public health restrictions allow. Performances will take place at ArtsConnect in the NOTO Arts District.

Online Symphony Performances - Topeka Symphony Orchestra Offering performances by the Topeka Symphony Orchestra via online streaming allows people who are homebound or otherwise unable to attend in person to enjoy the performances of the TSO. Because the concerts are recorded, it is possible to also use portions of the performances to compile concerts for school children that can be distributed to school districts across Kansas. Streaming capabilities will benefit our Youth Ensembles in addition to main symphony performances and significantly expands our ability to expand audiences beyond the immediate geographic area.

Ukulele Extension for COVID Protocols - Scott Dual Language Magnet School The purchase of additional ukuleles for use by students at Scott Dual Language Magnet School offers the ability to teach ukulele to at least grades 3-5 before the end of the year. This program has been significantly hindered by the sanitation standards required by the school and complexities involved with disinfecting wooden musical instruments. Increasing the number of instruments will off the opportunity to teach 2 classes simultaneously, reaching all students. If micro-classrooms continue next year, the additional instruments will enable staff to meet continued mitigation protocols into 2021-22.

Welcome To Fabulous North Topeka mural by artist Robert Tapley Bustamante This mural is a nod to the iconic design of the "Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas" mural. This mural will be painted on a 40ft. shipping container on the North side of US Hwy 24 designed by artist Robert Tapley Bustamante.

Survivor Art Group - YWCA Center for Safety & Empowerment Because art has the unique ability to aid in healing, decrease feelings of isolation, and assist in building connections, the YWCA Center for Safety & Empowerment will offer workshops including jewelry making, mixed media painting, fiber arts, sculpture, poetry workshops, and music exploration. Themes for these projects will include empowerment, moving from victim to survivor, healthy relationships, healthy self-image and many other topics pertinent to the experience of victims and survivors of all ages. These groups will be free of charge, like all services at CSE, and will be offered in our secured facility so that safety issues can be navigated. The groups will be open to clients of all ages, and the activities will be modified to be age appropriate for children.