Applications accepted to August 1
The Ventura County Arts Council in partnership with CreativityWorks has launched the Creative Community Thomas Fire Recovery Grant program to provide financial help to artists who endured losses due to the Thomas Fire and debris flow. Applications are online at http://vcartscouncil.org/creative-community-thomas-fire-recovery-grants/, and will be accepted through August 1st. Awards will range from $250 to $2,500.
“All working artists who reside in Ventura County and whose creative careers were significantly impacted by the Thomas Fire or debris flow are eligible to apply,” said Tracy Hudak of CreativityWorks.
The grants, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council with additional support from the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation of Ojai, aim to hasten the recovery of working artists and creatives by investing in their work and connecting them with additional resources, Hudak said. Those who may want to make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund may do so at https://bit.ly/2LyVMii.
Working artist is defined as an individual working in any artistic discipline or creative industry, including visual, literary, performing, music, folk, media or applied arts traditions, including those artists who adapted their practice for teaching, nonprofit work, healthcare, government or commercial applications. A creative career is one that actively developed or professionalized an art form through producing, presenting, promoting, or selling work or through teaching an artistic practice at the time of the fire in Dec. of 2017. Significant impact, for grant purposes, may include loss or damage of home or studio space, loss of a body of work or supplies, loss of income or other economic losses, disruption of career, or other impact.
To further assist artists recover, there will be an Arts Response Forum, Sept. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation, 248 S. Montgomery, Unit A, in Ojai. Presented by CreativityWorks and the Long Term Disaster Recovery Group with support from the Arts Council and the Ventura County Community Foundation.
More information on the Making It forums, the grants and grant applications can be found on the Ventura County Arts Council website, http://vcartscouncil.org/creative-community-thomas-fire-recovery-grants/.
For nearly 20 years, the Ventura County Arts Council, an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization, has served Ventura County residents as the local arts agency designated by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to serve the county’s citizens in partnership with the California Arts Council. VCAC advocates for the arts and for increased arts instruction in schools, and fosters community development through the arts.
