It’s been a busy week getting our February newsletter together so I apologize for Grant Gazing coming our so late in the week. Another part of my busy week was running between my sons two schools to assist with various programs and events. I am always struck by the colorful art in the hallways or the excitement of the school jazz band playing for the crowd. This access to artistic achievement and enjoyment is something we must never take for granted – my highlighted funder certainly feels that way too.

This week’s pick: The Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts would like to expand access to the arts to underserved populations. The NEA is offering grants of up to $10,000 each for professional arts programming and “projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development.”

Organizations may receive an expedited “fast track” grant in the following project areas:

• An arts event that will feature one or more guest artists
• The creation of professionally directed public art projects
• Civic design activities that involve the renovation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of cultural facilities or spaces
• The unified promotion of community-wide arts activities and resources

Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships with other organizations when applying. May 28, 2008 is the deadline to apply. Please go the NEA website for more application information.