The Kresge Foundation of Troy, Michigan will partner with the Tucson Pima Arts Council to provide $200,000 for arts, culture and community initiatives over the next two years.

The Kresge Foundation (http;//www.kresge.org) is piloting a new community arts and engagement project in Tucson, St. Louis, Baltimore, Birmingham and Detroit that encourages residents to use art and culture as a tool to address issues in their communities.

This multi-city project is designed to test Kresge’s belief that grassroots arts and cultural projects can be an effective tool to unite communities, address pressing social issues and uplift spirits in difficult times. The foundation plans to invest $200,000 over two years in each city.

Kresge enlisted the Tucson Pima Arts Council (http://tucsonpimaartscouncil.org) to administer the program titled Kresge Arts in Tucson: P.L.A.C.E. – (People, Land, Art, Culture and Engagement). Individuals and groups will be encouraged to apply, including local artists, historians, neighborhood and homeowner associations, youth groups, community development agencies as well as arts and cultural organizations, among others. Grants will range from $2,500 to $10,000. Applications for these grants are due to TPAC by 5 p.m. April 2, 2010.

“Art and culture can inspire citizens to transform neighborhoods and encourage civic dialogue around challenging issues. In times of uncertainty, we need creative outlets to feed the human spirit.  We believe that when we make consistent and purposeful investments of our time and talents, great things can happen,” said Kresge Foundation President Rip Rapson.

P.L.A.C.E. is intended to support the creative ideas that percolate from within the community. The hope is that projects will engage underserved and new audiences as well as children, teens and families…promote cross-cultural understanding… increase exposure to art and culture…and provide experiences in non-traditional spaces such as low-income housing developments, juvenile detention centers, or after-school program centers.

“We believe a thriving arts and cultural community – one that is well supported and well recognized – enriches the quality of life for residents and visitors and, in doing so, inspires new thinking, spurs innovation and accelerates the creative vitality of the region,” said Rapson.

“The Kresge Foundation has given us the means to implement a key recommendation that emerged in the process of creating the Pima Cultural Plan – that being the P.L.A.C.E. (People, Land, Art, Culture and Engagement) initiative. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate and create new projects that will enrich the lives of many people,” said TPAC Executive Director Roberto Bedoya.

“In these challenging times, this new public-private partnership gives us the motivation and the means to preserve the identity and distinctiveness of our region, trigger civic dialog, develop partnerships and implement programs that support and animate our community’s cultural development,” Bedoya said.

For more information or to apply online, visit the TPAC website: http://www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org/grants/downloads/KresgeAPPLICATION.doc

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