The Improve Group treasures its relationship with the arts community. Among the staff who work here, some of us are performers; some are strictly audience members; but all of us appreciate the gifts the arts bring to our lives. Just this month Marian will be performing in a play, Leah’s daughter was in a mermaid in a youth performance and my youngest son and I attended his first big, professional theater production in downtown Minneapolis. We are fortunate that our state is rich with cultural, artistic venues. My pick this week is an opportunity to share our arts/culture and make positive connections to what inspires people in other countries.

This week’s pick: The Cultural Programs Division of the Office of Citizen Exchanges, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is presenting the 2008 Arts Exchanges on International Issues Program, an “open competition for grants to implement programs that utilize the arts to engage civil society - particularly youth and diverse and underserved populations - and that foster linkages and build partnerships between U.S. and overseas non-profit arts and cultural organizations, and local communities.” (Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/PE/C/CU-08-43)

ECA is particularly interested in projects in: Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Peru and Nicaragua.
Projects should be aimed at opening dialogues, countering negative perceptions, developing leadership and professionalism and involve key international arts and/or cultural issues. Grants will range between $200,000 and $600,000. The application must be submitted by May 22nd through Grants.gov.

Among those eligible to apply are:
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

Please note there are two specific project themes for which you can apply. Click masks to learn more: