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The board of the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust voted to award $6,210 to local arts organizations at its April 10 board meeting.
“The Gardner Humanities Trust budgeted $9,250 across four grant categories: scholarships, youth grants, individual artist grants, and organization project grants,” said Peter Schamber, executive director for the Trust.
“However, not all categories received applications. Additionally, some of the applications that were received lacked sufficient detail. As a granting organization, it is our responsibility to make sure the Trust funds are disbursed responsibly, and applications that are not sufficiently detailed cannot be approved. The Trust wants to disburse the full amount budgeted for each grant round.
“We hope to continue to improve our online application process and provide more examples and guidance to applicants so they can be successful in the future. Applicants are also encouraged to reach out before applying for assistance.”
No Scholarships, Youth Grants, or Individual Artist Grants were approved this grant round due to either a lack of applications or insufficient project details. All funds have been allocated to the fall grant round in the hopes that those who did apply may take the opportunity to improve their applications and reapply in the fall.
The Trust’s organization project grant program supports activities in the fine arts and is intended to make possible art activities, presentations, and productions. Grants were awarded this year to the following:
• Ely Winter Festival was awarded $2,000 to support the 2025 Snow Sculpting Symposium, a staple of the Ely Winter Festival. From 14 to 18 giant blocks of snow will be carved by professional artists, and local artists will have the opportunity to carve smaller sculptures and learn from these professionals.
• Mesabi Symphony Orchestra was awarded $2,000 to present a pops concert of music from the movies in Ely’s Washington Auditorium. Free tickets will be provided to students in the Ely Public Schools and Minnesota North College.
• Tofte Lake Center was awarded $1,250 to host its annual Day at the Lake event, inviting the public to engage in a free day of art workshops, interactive arts activities, musical performances, nature, food, and fun.
• Dorothy Molter Museum was awarded $960 to record the scripts from the History Happy Hour program as podcast episodes to be released online and freely available to the community.
The Trust has allocated $3,000 for use by the Ely Public Library this year.
The Trust will have a fall grant round with applications due Sept. 25. The fall budget is $6,500 for youth and individuals, and $6,000 for organizations.
Full details will be published in the papers and announced online before the start of the grant round.
Any questions 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
