Urbana Arts Grants

March 12, 2013: The following projects have been approved by the Urbana Public Arts Commission as recipients of 2013 Urbana Arts Grants.  Additionally, the Urbana Business Association has chosen five projects identified below for sponsorship as Business Backs the Arts Recipients. The list below provides information submitted by the applicants and does not obligate either the City of Urbana or the applicant to activities described.

Here & Now
1. Irenka Carney, (Re)Making Matter(s), City sponsorship of $ 1,175
A community art class for all skill levels that uses recycled, repurposed, and gathered materials. The class culminates with an exposition of the student's work.

2. The Show, ILL POETS SOCIETY vol II: The Aaron Ammons Project, City sponsorship of $2,000
Produce a spoken word album and coordinate open mic events where artists from Urbana and greater Illinois tackle issues of truth, access and inequity.

3. Brianna Lawrence, Have Book, Will Travel, Urbana Business Association sponsorship of $1000
I propose to create a cardboard sculpture for the Urbana Free Library children's department for their summer theme, "Have Book, Will Travel.”

4. elizaBeth Simpson, Urbana: Art from the Streets, City sponsorship of $1500
This project will offer multiple opportunities to participate in a lively, collaborative, creative arts project that will culminate in postcards celebrating Urbana.

Envision 365
1. Nathaniel Banks and Friends, Traveling History of Jazz Project, City sponsorship of $2,500
A series of lecture demonstrations about jazz music presented by Nathaniel and Friends, a quartet of local musicians.

2. Kate Kuper, Simple Machines and M.E. (Movement Exploration), City sponsorship of $1,175
A movement exploration by Yankee Ridge Elementary students culminating in a "living museum" that demonstrates science and dance concepts.

3. Outta the Mouths of Babes Youth Radio Project, Urbana Business Association sponsorship of $1,000 and City sponsorship of $1,000 for total award of $2,000
A 12-week radio project that invites Urbana-area youth to become "youth correspondents" in a radio show where kids comment on art happenings in Urbana-Champaign.
4. Steve Ingram, Urbana Pinhole Portrait Project, City sponsorship of $900
Pinhole portraits and stories about Urbana residents.

5. Costas: Colombian Music in Urbana, City sponsorship of $2,000
Continued workshops and educational performances of traditional Columbian music including professional Columbian musicians.

Creative Mix
1. Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerts, City sponsorship of $1,000.
The Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra 2013 Youth Concerts, April 10 and April 11, 2013, at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for 3,000 primary students.

2. ChampaignUrbanamusic.com, City sponsorship of $3,000
Interactive website to archive and share memories of CU’s bands and musicians, past and present, across genres; the source for local music news and features.

3. Common Ground Food Co-op, Common Ground Art Gallery, Urbana Business Association sponsorship of $1,000 and City sponsorship of $2,000 for total award of $3,000
An art gallery for local artists and the community in our high trafficked, well-loved local Food Co-op.

4. CU Film Society, CU Film Society PRESENTS, City sponsorship of $2,000
To promote the art of filmmaking by offering film screenings, public discussions, filmmaking workshops and the creation of a community film project "Pens to Lens."

5. The UP Center of Champaign County, LGBTQ Youth Theater Group, City sponsorship of $2,000
Act UP offers LGBTQ and allied youth the opportunity to create and engage in theater celebrating the diverse experiences of their community.

6. Mo’Betta Music After School Academy, Mo' Betta Developing Artists Summer camp, City sponsorship of $2,000
A half day jazz music camp held for five days during the month of June. The target audience is beginning instrumental music students.

7. The World Stage Homeschool Theatre Company, Shakespeare for Children, City sponsorship of $550
We will present one of Shakespeare's plays in a form designed to delight children of all ages.

8. Urbana Pops Orchestra 2013 Season, City sponsorship of $3000
Urbana Pops Orchestra will offer two summer concerts of popular and light classical repertoire, one free and one at nominal charge.

Urbana Festivals
1. 40 North | 88 West 2013 Annual Boneyard Arts Festival Urbana Day, Urbana Business Association sponsorship of $1,000 and City sponsorship of $2,000 for total award of $3,000
Presented annually by 40 North, the Boneyard is a unique 4-day event showcasing the range and diversity of creative activity flourishing in our community.

2. CU Folk & Roots Festival 2013, City sponsorship of $3,000
A participatory weekend festival in downtown Urbana celebrating folk and roots music, dance, and spoken word via workshops, jams, dances and regional/national folk performances. 

3. Maker Faire 2013, City sponsorship of $2,000
Urbana-Champaign Mini-Maker Faire is a one-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, music, science, technology projects and the Do-It-Yourself spirit in our community.

4. Parkland College Read Across America 2014, City sponsorship of $3,700
Professional storytellers will be brought in to enhance the Read Across America event which occurs annually at the Lincoln Square Mall.

5. Community Center for the Arts Race Street Bash, Urbana Business Association sponsorship of $1,000 and City sponsorship of $2,800 for total award of $3,800
“Race Street Bash” is an annual public performing arts festival in downtown Urbana, celebrating collaboration and community life.

6. The UP Center of Champaign County, Turn it UP!, City sponsorship of $1,200
The Turn It UP! event is a concert and variety show that showcases local musicians, spoken word artists, comedians, dancers, and other performers.