THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES
$34 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT THE ARTS

The Choir School of Delaware and State Education Agency Directors of Education to receive federal funding for arts projects

 

Wilmington, Del. (January 17, 2023) — As the only funder in the country to support arts activities in all 50 states and five U.S. jurisdictions, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that two Delaware organizations will receive $50,000 in federal grants. This is the first of the NEA’s two major grant announcements each fiscal year and includes grants to organizations through the NEA’s Grants for Arts Projects, Challenge America, and Research Awards categories. This announcement also includes grants to individuals for Literature Fellowships in creative writing (poetry) and translation.

“Together, these grants show the NEA’s support nationwide for strengthening our arts and cultural ecosystems, providing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, and contributing to the health of our communities and our economy,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “I encourage everyone to explore these projects and the ways they help provide inspiration, understanding, and opportunities for us to live more artful lives.”

The full list of recommended grants is available in a state-by-state listing and organized by grant category/discipline. Additional information about the projects can be found using the NEA’s Grant Search.

The Choir School of Delaware will receive Challenge America grant in the amount of $10,000 to support the professional recording of an intergenerational choir.

“The Choir School is grateful to be among this year’s NEA funding recipients. Our Challenge America grant will facilitate a professionally recorded album of our intergenerational choir, our first since the 1970s,” says Deputy Director Brittney Stanton. “This is an invaluable opportunity to uplift the talents of our students and connect them to the unforgettable experience of recording an album. It sends them a clear message: their voices deserve to be heard and celebrated.”

The State Education Agency Directors of Education (SEADAE) will receive an Art Works – Arts Education grant in the amount of $40,000 to support professional development training for teachers and teaching artists using the National Core Arts Standards as the basis for assessing student learning in the arts.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the NEA regarding the work we do to ensure equitable access to arts instruction across the country,” said Todd Shipley, SEADAE president and Director of Arts Education for the Tennessee Department of Education. “Through the support of the NEA, directors of the arts in state departments of education across the nation will be provided with resources and professional learning focused on building the capacity of constituents to meet the needs of diverse populations. SEADAE will evaluate current instructional practices for equity and inclusivity and develop appropriate resources and strategies—including a turnkey toolkit—to support arts learning for all student populations.”

The full NEA grant descriptions follow:

Challenge America
The Challenge America category primarily supports small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations—those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Challenge America grants are awarded in all artistic disciplines to reach historically underserved communities that have rich and dynamic cultural identities. The NEA received 447 eligible applications and will award grants to 262 organizations for a total of $2,620,000 in funding.

Grants for Art Projects
Art Works is the NEA’s principal grantmaking program designed to support artistically excellent projects that celebrate our creativity and cultural heritage, invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values, and enrich humanity. Grants for Arts Projects is the agency’s largest grant program. For this round of funding, the NEA received 1,939 eligible applications and will award grants to 1,251 organizations for a total of nearly $28.8 million in funding.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. For more information, visit www.arts.gov.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

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The prestigious Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts recognize artists in a variety of disciplines for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards.

 

Wilmington, Del. (January 17, 2023) – Seventeen Delaware artists are being recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts for the high quality of their artwork. The Division received work samples from 118 Delaware musicians; writers; and folk, media, and visual artists. The work samples were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals who considered the demonstrated creativity and skill in each artist’s respective art form. Seventeen artists were awarded fellowships in the following categories – two, Masters; seven, Established; and eight, Emerging. The seventeen selected fellows reside throughout Delaware including Bridgeville, Claymont, Felton, Harrington, Lewes, Newark, Smyrna, and Wilmington.

Awards are given in three categories: $12,000 for the Masters Award, $8,000 for the Established Professional Award, and $5,000 for the Emerging Professional Award. Fellows are required to offer at least one exhibit or performance during the upcoming year, providing an opportunity for the public to experience their work.

“Individual Artist Fellowship grants recognize Delaware artists for their outstanding work and commitment to artistic excellence,” said Jessica Ball, director of Delaware Division of the Arts. “The financial award allows them to pursue advanced training, purchase equipment and materials, or fulfill other needs to advance their careers. The last three years have proven difficult for many artists, and thanks in part to Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, the Division of the Arts is pleased to be able to allocate additional funds to increase the size of the grants for 2023.  In addition to these increased grants, the Division was able to award a second Masters Fellowship Award.”

The Masters Fellowship is open to different artistic disciplines each year. In 2023, Masters Fellowship applications were accepted in Visual Arts and Folk Arts from artists who had previously received an Established Professional Fellowship. In addition to exemplifying high artistic quality, Masters Fellowship applicants must demonstrate their involvement and commitment to the arts in Delaware and beyond.

The DDOA 2023 Master Fellow in the field of Visual Arts Photography is B. Proud.  B. Proud is a commercial and fine art photographer and has exhibited her work in solo and group shows around the globe. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and faculty at the International Center of Photography (ICP), New York. B. Proud’s recent work is a series of socially conscious documentary projects focused on the LGBTQ+ community. “First Comes Love” is a traveling exhibition of portraits, stories, and videos of couples in long-term relationships. The project’s hardbound book received two publishing gold medals. “Transcending Love,” focuses on transgender and gender non-conforming couples across the country in an attempt to further acceptance of a community deserving of understanding and fundamental human rights. Proud has received grants from the B.W. Bastian Foundation, the Puffin Foundation, The University of the Arts, and the Delaware State Arts Council. Her work is included in the Weeks Gallery, Jamestown, NY, Center for Photography at Woodstock, the Delaware Art Museum, Eastman Kodak, Haverford College, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and private collections. Learn more at https://www.bproudphoto.com/

The DDOA 2023 Master Fellow in the field of Folk Art: Oral Literature is TAHIRA.  TAHIRA, is a nationally recognized storyteller and performing artist, who boldly blurs the lines between storyteller, singer/songwriter and musician. Whether performing her original works or her vast repertoire of stories from the African oral tradition, she brings to her audience messages of courage, hope, and spiritual strength. Blending, song, poetry and story in a high-energy performance, TAHIRA captivates and enthralls audiences in schools, libraries, festivals and social services organizations nationally and internationally. TAHIRA says she has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her childhood passion for words has led to her mission to use storytelling and music to empower young people to think critically, choose wisely, and believe fervently in their ability to succeed. She spells her name with all capital letters as a reminder of the enormous responsibility she has to use her gifts to be of service to her community. Learn more at https://www.tahiraproductions.com/

Listed below are the Delaware Division of the Arts 2023 Individual Artist Fellows:

 

2023 Master Fellows

B. Proud, Visual Arts: Photography, Wilmington

TAHIRA, Folk Art: Oral Literature, Claymont

 

2023 Established Fellows

Joyce Barbagallo, Literature: Fiction, Wilmington

Ron Meick, Visual Arts: Sculpture, Wilmington

Michael Miller, Folk Art: Music, Felton

Mary Pauer, Literature: Creative Nonfiction, Bridgeville

Christopher Penna, Literature: Poetry, Newark

Lauren E. Peters, Visual Arts: Painting, Wilmington

IVA (Emily Tepe), Music: Contemporary Performance

 

2023 Emerging Fellows

Jill Althouse-Wood, Visual Arts: Painting, Wilmington

Bryant (Tee) Bell, Visual Arts: Painting, Dover

Liz DeJesus, Literature: Creative Nonfiction, Wilmington

Constanza (Cony) Madariaga, Visual Arts: Painting, Wilmington

James Morgan, Media Arts: Video/Film, Harrington

Charlese Phillips, Visual Arts: Interdisciplinary, Smyrna

Kim Hoey Stevenson, Literature: Fiction, Lewes

Anne Yarbrough, Literature: Poetry, New Castle

 

To contact an individual artist, please email or call: Roxanne Stanulis, Program Officer, Artist Programs and Services, Roxanne.Stanulis@delaware.gov or 302-577-8283.

The next deadline for Individual Artist Fellowship applications will be Monday, August 1, 2023 by 11:59 p.m.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

 

Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, Andrew.Truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) invites customers to utilize its newest feature, the DMV virtual
lobby.

The virtual lobby can be accessed via Plan & Scan mobile ticketing. Customers interested in waiting in their vehicles vs
waiting inside a DMV location can simply scan the QR code upon arrival. QR codes can be found on signs throughout the
parking lot, on the front doors, on the sidewalks, and inside the lobby.

Customers will receive a virtual ticket reserving their place in line after scanning a code and completing the below steps.

• Scan the QR Code
• Click on weblink
• Enter your mobile phone number (optional but necessary to receive text updates regarding the customer’s place in line)
• Select location
• Select transaction type
• Wait in your vehicle
• Proceed inside when you receive a text

For the Plan & Scan mobile ticketing feature to function properly, users should make sure to enable the “locations”
setting on their smart device.

“Plan & Scan entered the test phase during COVID-19 when the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles was exploring
options to reduce the number of people waiting in our lobbies while we continued to serve the public,” commented
Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “Its success continues to grow giving customers the option of waiting in the
the comfort of their own vehicles vs in a crowded lobby or outside when it’s too hot, too cold, raining, or snowing,”
continued Majeski.

“Aside from being able to wait in their vehicles, patrons using Plan & Scan mobile ticketing can also use the
feature to monitor their position in line,” said Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles Director Jana Simpler.
“It’s just another tool we offer in order to create a better overall experience for our customers,” continued
Simpler.

Anyone interested in waiting in the new virtual lobby can utilize Plan & Scan mobile ticketing from the parking
lot of all four DMV locations: Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover, and Georgetown. The feature is accessible via
any smart device, but before using customers must turn on the “locations” setting.

For more details CLICK HERE or visit dmv.de.gov/Programs/plan-scan/.

 DNREC announced a restaurant proposal for Cape Henlopen State Park will not proceed, and that additional visitor surveys and site reviews will be conducted prior to future RFPs for visitor enhancements to the park’s main beach area.

 

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and La Vida Hospitality have mutually decided not to move forward at this time with a proposed restaurant for Cape Henlopen State Park, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens announced during a public meeting about the project Monday evening at Cape Henlopen High School.

La Vida Hospitality LLC was awarded a publicly bid one-year contract by DNREC in April to manage the existing main beach food concession while both parties conducted due diligence on La Vida’s proposal to extend the contract and build a restaurant at the park’s main beach area. DNREC determined that the necessary environmental review and contract negotiation could not be completed by the contract’s expiration date of Dec. 31 and with La Vida Hospitality LLC in agreement, has chosen to the end the project.

The proposed restaurant came from a request for proposal (RFP) to manage the park’s main beach area concession, which includes food service and amenity rentals such as chairs and umbrellas, with the potential for added services such as a restaurant. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation initiated an extensive review process for the proposed project in May, which included review of the natural and cultural resources, a public comment period and internal contract evaluation.

The division will continue to gather data regarding natural and cultural resources in the area and to seek public input regarding the levels of service provided at the site as it proceeds with planning improvements to amenities at the main beach area, including the existing Sen. David B. McBride Bathhouse and the north day-use beach crossing.

Needed improvements for Cape Henlopen State Park include expanded food service, ADA-accessible restrooms and beach crossings. Location, hours of operation, traffic, lighting and noise restrictions will remain key considerations with any improvements.

DNREC also announced today that additional visitor surveys and site reviews will be conducted prior to future RFPs for visitor enhancements to the area.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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For arts programming and projects taking place during
fiscal year 2024 (September 2023 – August 2024)

 

Wilmington, Del. (December 2, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts has opened its annual online application process for grants for arts programming and projects taking place during fiscal year 2024 (September 2023 – August 2024). Applications will be submitted through the smARTDE online system and are due by 4:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 1, 2023.

The guidelines for all grant programs are available online at arts.delaware.gov/grant-overview. Past and new applicants should read the guidelines carefully as updates may have been made and contact Division staff with any questions. A list of the Division staff members who manage the grants process, including their responsibilities and contact information, is available at the end of this release.

In FY23, the Division of the Arts awarded 115 grants for a total of $2.9 million to eligible Delaware based organizations.  You can read more here.

New to smARTDE? View the login instructions for smARTDE and watch the 30-minute demonstration video.

New Requirement This Cycle: Organization grant applications require a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Obtaining your UEI could take a minimum of 30 days. Read more about obtaining a UEI to begin the process today. CLICK HERE

Below are the Division’s grants programs and their respective deadlines. Please visit arts.delaware.gov/grant-overview/ to access the full guidelines for each program and a description of the grant review process. Some organizational grants are available throughout the year on a rolling deadline basis. 

 

Grants for Delaware Arts Organizations:

General Operating Support (GOS) – support of annual operating expenses to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Delaware. This grant category utilizes a three-year application cycle. Full applications are due every three years, with Interim Applications due in the “off” years. March 1 deadline.

Arts Stabilization Fund (ASF) – support for improvements to facilities owned (or under long-term lease) and operated by the organization. ASF grants are funded through the Division’s participation in the Arts Consortium of Delaware, Inc. (ArtCo) endowment. March 1 deadline.

Education Resource (EDR) – grants to strengthen standards-based arts education projects, programs, and activities that utilize the arts education resources of the Delaware arts community or strengthen arts organizations’ capacity to serve as professional development resources for teaching artists and educators. March 1 deadline.

StartUp – financial support, training, and consultation to develop and strengthen the management capacity of emerging arts organizations, or those new to the Division, so that they can operate in a sustainable manner. Completion of the StartUp program is a prerequisite for emerging organizations seeking General Operating Support. Letter of intent due January 15. If LOI accepted, March 1 deadline.

Arts Access – provides up to $1,000 to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Rolling deadline.                        

 

Grants for Delaware Community-Based Organizations (CBOs):

Project Support – support of arts programs provided by CBOs that assist in the growth of a vibrant cultural environment by encouraging the continued development of arts activities in communities throughout the state. March 1 deadline.

Arts Access – provide up to $1,000 to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Rolling deadline.

 

Grants for Delaware Schools and School Districts:

Artist Residency – grants for residencies with visual, literary, performing or media artists working with students in the classroom or in professional development workshops with teachers. Rolling deadline.

Education Resource (EDR) – grants to strengthen standards-based arts education projects, programs, and activities that utilize the arts education resources of the Delaware arts community or strengthen arts organizations’ capacity to serve as professional development resources for teaching artists and educators. March 1 deadline.

TranspARTation – grants that support transportation costs up to $500 per field trip for schools to travel to Delaware arts and cultural institutions and venues for students to attend arts performances, events, and exhibits. Rolling deadline.

 

Grants for Delaware Individual Artists:

Artist Fellowship – support of individual artists in their work as visual, performing, media, folk, and/or literary artists. Download the smARTDE Instructions to learn how to log in and navigate the system. Application opens Spring 2023 with an August 1 deadline.

Artist Opportunity Grant – grants up to $1,000 in support of individual artists with unique professional and artistic development or presentation opportunities. Quarterly deadlines.

 

For questions regarding any of these programs, please contact the appropriate Division contact below:

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Staff	Role	Grant Types	Phone Number
Kathleen Dinsmore kathleen.dinsmore@delaware.gov	Organization Support	General Operating Support, Arts Access and StartUp Grants	302-577-8287
Leeann Wallett leeann.wallett@delaware.gov	Community Engagement	Project Support Grants	302-577-8282
Sheila Dean Ross sheila.ross@delaware.gov	Arts Education & Accessibility	Education Resource, Artist Residency, and TranspARTation Grants	302-577-8286
Roxanne Stanulis roxanne.stanulis@delaware.gov	Artist Programs & Services	Artist Fellowship and Artist Opportunity Grants	302-577-8283
Jessica Ball jessica.ball@delaware.gov	Director	Arts Stabilization Fund	302-577-8278

 

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

 

Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, Andrew.Truscott@delaware.gov