Where is the best place to find information about grants - specifically for the arts ( dance )

[Heather Hurlock]

My daughter is a member of a small dance team locally. We are having harder time than ever getting costumes, props, and I can't imagine what travel to competitions will be like. So many of the families in our group have lost their jobs or just have been very negatively affected by the economy. Our team is a Not for profit organization.. We desperately need a trailer to move props to competitions but just as badly some of the girls need funding or they may not be able to continue. As parents we are doing what we can in the way of fundraising. We work a concession stand at the Purdue Games, we've tried TONS of fundraisers of the normal type but the problem is NO ONE here has any money to buy something - they certainly are not going to spend it on a $14 tub of cookie dough, etc...

I thought it would be a good idea to find sponsors for the team in general but I have no idea how to go about it. We could put the sponsors name on our trailer ( you know... when we get that ) - on the shirts... in our programs, press releases. There are a lot of ways we can help a sponsor in free advertising but none of us know where to start with this.

Any ideas? Are there programs specifically for rural areas? I see tons of things for Indianapolis.. Chicago... Inner cities. We are none of that. We are farm families from rural Carroll and White Counties. I've looked through so many things today and found nothing.

These kids are dedicated. They practice 12-20 hours a week in addition to school. They get excellent grades, and they are just great kids. I can't stand the thought of this not being there for them because we couldn't find any funds to help.

Any ideas appreciated.

Heather

[Erik Deckers]

www.in.gov/arts is the Indiana State Governent's arts agency. I got a grant from them to buy the very computer I'm writing this on.

[Heather Hurlock]

Thank you Eric! I will be looking into this for sure.

[Jim Lowe]

We are a very easy to work with fundraiser company. Look us up at jandmssmokehouse.com.
Good luck jim lowe

[Laura Frank]

I am the Communications Manager for the Indiana Arts Commission. The person in our office that you need to contact is April Blevins: [e-mail].

[Henry Kurkowski]

Hi Laura-
Is April the person for all grant through the IAC?

[Laura Frank]

April is our Grants and IT Manager. She can handle general questions about all of the IAC grants. If you have questions about specific grants, you may want to talk to the program manager that handles that specific grant. This information can be found on our website here:

http://www.in.gov/arts/2345.htm

[Henry Kurkowski]

Thanks Laura!

[Laura Frank]

We also have a Regional Arts Partners (RAP) program. OUr RAPs offer funding to sub-grantees in their regions. We created this program in order to reach more citizens. Here is where you find out who to contact:

http://www.in.gov/arts/2482.htm

[Henry Kurkowski]

Great! May I assume that you were at the Start with Art luncheon?

[Laura Frank]

Yes, I was there. It was my first time attending, and I really enjoyed it!

[Henry Kurkowski]

Iwas there as well. Angela Brown was fantastc, wasn't she??? :)

[Henry Kurkowski]

The USDA has grant funds for prorgrams and educational opportuniites in rural areas. Google the Indiana offices and give them a call.