Bravo Greater Des Moines Announces Capital Grant Awards for Greater Des Moines Arts, Culture and Heritage Organizations
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 18, 2018) — Bravo Greater Des Moines awarded Grant Cycle 18 Capital Campaign and Project Grants totaling $450,000 to 12 Central Iowa arts, culture and heritage organizations. The money awarded through this grant program helps strengthen arts, culture and heritage organizations and supports a sector that is a key driver of economic development and quality of life.
The Capital Campaign and Project Grant (CCPG) provides funding for comprehensive capital campaigns and capital projects, such as renovations or rehabilitation of existing facilities, public art or major equipment acquisition. Since 2010, more than $2 million in capital grants has been invested in projects that meet community needs and allow organizations to more effectively and efficiently deliver services.
2018 Capital Campaign & Project Grant Recipients
Avenues Ingersoll & Grand Restoration: $25,000
To acquire and install Black Crown, a bronze sculpture by Larassa Kabel, at the northeast corner of 42nd Street and Grand Avenue in Des Moines.
Ballet Des Moines: $3,300
A new front-of-house stage scrim to enhance the annual production of The Nutcracker.
Blank Park Zoo: $50,000
Construction of a covered area with tables and chairs, plus addition of a water feature for kid-play in the center of the zoo.
City of Pleasant Hill: $15,000
Design and construction of a large-scale permanent art installation with a 15-foot diameter pad in the center of the City’s first roundabout.
Class Act Productions, Inc.: $4,300
Upgrade and improve existing electrical systems at the theater in Altoona.
Des Moines Art Center: $27,000
Support to replace the east side interior Print Gallery display wall.
Des Moines Heritage Trust: $90,000
To convert the historic 1909 East Des Moines Union Depot into a permanent home for several Des Moines-based heritage organizations and add an adjacent event center to the depot building.
Iowa Asian Alliance: $65,000
Restoration and enhancement of The Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens.
Living History Farms Foundation: $38,000
Improvement of the 1930's barn (“The Red Barn”) to store antiques and artifacts under museum-standard best practices.
Mainframe Studios: $76,900
Funding for Phase 2 of the capital campaign which includes finishing two floors of the building for an additional 50 artist studios.
West Des Moines Historical Society: $5,500
For enhanced visitor accessibility to the Jordan House, and equipment to support improved visitor experience.
West Des Moines Parks & Rec. Dept.: $50,000
To support The Folded Flags Sculpture (FFS), the first component to be installed as part of the Veterans Parkway Enhancements Project.
All Bravo grants are made possible by the 17 local government partners who contribute a portion of hotel/motel tax revenue to Bravo to be invested in arts and culture organizations and programs – Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Polk County, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights. Greater Des Moines’ cultural organizations are a driving factor in the success of the region’s livability and economic development which supports business attraction and retention.
About Bravo Greater Des Moines
Investing in the sustainability and growth of arts, culture and heritage nonprofit organizations in Central Iowa is at the heart of Bravo’s purpose. Through competitive grantmaking programs, and with contributions from 17 local government partners, Bravo provides support to a wide range of arts, culture and heritage organizations. These nonprofit cultural partners support a sector that is a key driver of economic activity and quality of life, making Central Iowa a premier place to live, work, play and visit.