The Tempe community can expect to see a calendar full of exciting, inclusive arts and culture programs this year thanks to a $225,000 investment from the City of Tempe.
This week, Tempe awarded 35 arts grants to nonprofit organizations and artists collectives that present arts and culture programming. The funding supports a wide variety of activities, from theatre groups to musical performances to inventive arts events in unexpected spaces.
A total of $224,460 was awarded to these groups. An additional $75,540 will be distributed through additional grant categories this fall.
Last year, the Tempe City Council increased its support of arts grants by 50%, providing an annual allocation of $300,000 to support local arts and artists through this program. The funding helps to ignite creative vibrancy, support capacity building for local organizations and grow connections among the community.
“Our investment in local artists and creatives helps contribute to the vibrant cultural community that we get to enjoy here in Tempe,” said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. “We hope you’ll check out some of the great work from these outstanding groups, whether you’re catching a play at Tempe Center for the Arts or enjoying a drive-in film festival.”
The competitive review process was conducted by five independent, objective and diverse community review panels comprised of representatives from the Tempe Arts and Culture Commission, African American Advisory Committee, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee and Tempe Tourism as well as Tempe residents, arts educators, students and practicing artists.
Projects will be presented in a variety of community spaces, including theaters, plazas, community centers, parking lots and other surprising spaces across the city.
Wavemaker Art Grants (nonprofit organizations)
| Arizona Theatre Company |
| Arizona Wind Symphony |
| B3 Theater Inc. |
| Black Theatre Troupe |
| CAFÉ Flutes |
| Childsplay |
| CONDER/Dance |
| Cultural Coalition |
| Desert Overture |
| Downtown Tempe Foundation |
| FABRIC Tempe |
| Furious Styles Crew |
| Grey Box Collective |
| Heartsy |
| International Jazz Day Foundation |
| Lights Camera Discover |
| Methods of Madness Dance |
| Musician Enrichment Foundation |
| Phoenix Boys Choir |
| Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus |
| Phoenix Screenwriters Association |
| Rising Youth Theatre |
| Stray Cat Theatre |
| Tempe Winds |
| Tetra String Quartet |
| The Bridge Initiative |
| The Ladies (Yes And Productions) |
Vibrant City Art Grants (cultural groups, nonprofits, artist collectives)
| ARCS Arizona |
| Little Something Press |
| MAC & Co |
| Mix Mix Tayo Collective |
| New Style Hustle Phx |
| Pocket Change Crew |
| The Sacred G’s |
| Tranze Danza Contemporanea |
Get more information about the grants, programs and organizations that received funding, here.
