Carmel arts grants to benefit 21 arts organizations

The City of Carmel has awarded 21 local arts organizations with $914,500 in the initial round of grants from the City’s 2017 Arts Grant Program. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the City of Carmel’s financial support for local arts, which amounts to roughly one percent of the city budget each year. Since 2004, more than $9.2 million has been allocated to support local arts programs.

“We have worked hard in Carmel to build the framework for a community that values the arts as part of a larger mission to improve the quality of life and attract economic development and private investments in our city,” said Mayor Brainard. “As part of that strategy, it is important to support our local arts groups, which are worthy of public support. Studies by the Americans for the Arts show typical visitors to an event spend close to $30 per person, per event, in addition to the cost of admission. That’s money spent at our local restaurants, art galleries and other businesses.”

Tourism supports more than 10,000 jobs in Hamilton County and accounts for almost 8 percent of all county employment, according to Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. Tourism spending contributes more than $580 million in local economic impact (GDP) with 90 cents of that staying in Hamilton County.

Following is the list of the 2017 recipients:

Actors Theatre of Indiana, $220,000

Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, $210,000

Carmel Arts Council, $9,000

Carmel Clay Historical Society, $15,000

Carmel Community Players, $15,000

Carmel Klavier, $12,000

Carmel Symphony Orchestra, $215,000

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, $15,000

Friends Helping Friends, $3,500

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, $45,000

Hoosier Salon Art & Patrons Association, $30,000