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The board of the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust voted to award $9,750 to individuals and arts organizations at its April 9 board meeting.
“The Gardner Humanities Trust received 12 grant applications requesting over $18,000 covering all four grant categories: scholarships, youth grants, individual artist grants, and organization project grants,” said Peter Schamber, executive director for the Trust.
“This was nearly double our budgeted amount. It was a very competitive grant round, but the board is very proud of the applications that were funded.”
Scholarships are awarded to graduates of Ely schools who are entering their third or fourth year of a four-year undergraduate program in the fine arts.
• Gabe Mann was awarded $1,000 to continue his degree in theater at the University of Minnesota in Duluth.
Individual artist grants are awarded for unique, short-term opportunities that will impact an artist’s career.
• Wendy Rouse was awarded $1,000 to create a series of paintings to be included in NLAA’s 2025 art show series.
• DyAnne Korda was awarded $500 to self-publish a book of poetry.
• Kat Albrecht was awarded $500 to create a digital gallery of paintings representing people’s nightmares.
The trust’s grant programs support activities in the fine arts and are intended to make possible art activities, presentations, and productions. Project grants were awarded this year to the following organizations:
• Mesabi Symphony Orchestra was awarded $2,000 to present a concert of classical music. The concert will feature the winners of MSO’s annual young artist competition for high school- and college-age musicians.
• Ely’s Historic State Theater was awarded $2,000 to develop a series of media development workshops in partnership with the SAGE Foundation for local students.
• NLAA was awarded $1,500 to support their youth summer theater experiences program which is focused on developing theater skills for local students.
• Waawaate Programs was awarded $1,250 to host a powwow at the Vermilion Campus to celebrate Native American culture through singing, dancing, and drumming.
The Trust has allocated $3,000 for use by the Ely Public Library this year.
Any questions about the grant programs, the Trust, or ways to support the arts in Ely can be directed to Schamber at 218-365-2639 or at [email protected].
The purpose of the Trust is for the enhancement, growth and improvement of: 1. The Ely Public Library 2. The arts and artisans of Ely and surrounding area, to include the performing arts, the visual arts and literature.
3. The creating and funding of scholarships, educational and artistic grants.
4. The cultural and aesthetic environment of the City of Ely and its surrounding area.
