If you are interested in applying for the FY 2023-24 Cultural Arts Grants, please read and fill out the Instructions and Application Form (downloadable). Applications must be submitted by Friday, January 12, 2024.

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Cultural Arts Grants Awarded for 2023

(Recipients of the 2022 Cultural Arts Grants -Left to right: Barbara George, City Arts Commission; Wayan Kaufman, City Arts Commission; Clare Kiklowicz, South Coast Repertory; Vina Spiehler, Baroque Music Festival, CdM; Wayne Norman, Baroque Music Festival, CdM;  Penny Rodheim, Balboa Island Improvement Association; Terry Janssen, Balboa Island Improvement Association; Erin O'Flaherty, Laguna Playhouse; Molly Buzick-Pontin, Pacific Chorale; Amanda Kay White, Backhausdance; Maureen Flanagan, City Arts Commission Secretary; Marie Little, City Arts Commission Vice Chair; Leonard Simon, City Arts Commission; Arlene Greer, City Arts Commission Chair)

The City Arts Commission is pleased to announce that the recipients of the 2023 Cultural Arts Grants are as follows: 

Backhausdance: $3,000

Funding will be used for a dance education partnership program, Dance Expressions: Creativity and Choreography, to be held at two different NMUSD schools (CdM/Back Bay) in fall 2023. This program offers an immersion into working with a professional dance company in a total of twenty six 60-75 minute workshops.

Balboa Island Improvement Association: $3,000

Funding will go towards a new season of the Balboa Island Classical Concert Series, held at St. John Vianney Chapel and Balboa Park on Agate, beginning in March 2023. A minimum of 5 classical concerts and 5 concerts in the park will be planned for the community.

Baroque Music Festival, Corona del Mar: $5,000

Funding will bring four vocal soloists from across the country to Newport Beach for the 43rd season finale, Grand Cantatas and More. Funds will also be planned to become a Community Arts Partner with the NMUSD Arts Commission to facilitate yearly workshops by Festival musicians at local schools.

Laguna Playhouse: $5,000

The Our Stories program is a series of two to six-week theatrical and fine-art workshops for students in schools and youth centers/shelters in the Newport Mesa school district. Funding will be used to bring the Our Stories Program to students aided by the organization Save Our Youth, Project Hope Alliance, and Girl's Inc.

Pacific Chorale: $4,500

Pacific Chorale's chamber choir will present three performances at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, featuring Monteverdi Vespers in March and Carols by Candlelight in December. Tickets are free and offered to students and social service agencies via their Intro to the Arts program.

Pacific Symphony: $5,000

Funding will go to the Class Act Music Education Program in two NMUSD schools, Andersen and Newport Coast Elementary Schools. This program trains and places union musicians into local schools where students receive the value of music learning from teaching artists.

South Coast Repertory: $4,500

Funding will be used for the Theatre for Young Audiences free school-day matinee performance of Snow White for students, augmented with daytime and evening performances for the general public. The production will be filmed and later presented online for three weeks in April/May 2023.