RAPID CITY, S.D. - Are you an artist, performer or arts organization in search of money and expert advice for marketing your art or arts event? The Rapid City Arts Council, PrairieWave Communications and local media outlets have joined together to create an innovative grant program to support marketing for 2008 events. The PrairieWave ArtSmart Grant will award nine grants consisting of $250 in cash, marketing support and advice, inkind media and networking, and a marketing seminar. The seminar will teach Black Hills media savvy to individual artists and performers of all kinds, small arts groups and groups running projects involving local artists.
“We want these grants to encourage creative and cost-effective marketing initiatives and campaigns by individuals and groups. We see great events go unreported and poorly attended, and many fine performers and artists go unnoticed. The seminar specifically addresses marketing in the Black Hills for radio, print, TV and Internet. Recipients will receive $250 in cash and help in using it most effectively. Each grantee will have a Rapid City Arts Council staff member to provide marketing support and advice, provide introductions to key media people, and follow up after to evaluate the marketing plan. We believe this unique combination of services, support, education and funding will have both immediate and long-term impact,” said Darla Drew Lerdal Development and Performance Program Director for the Rapid City Arts Council.
The grant application will be available on line at www.thedahl.org and at the Dahl Arts Center at 713 7th Street beginning on August 3. Closing date for the applications is Sept. 15. Recipients will be notified by October 10.