Local Challenge Arts Grant - OTDB Proposed Overview for request for funds

Eligibility

• Proposed activity must take place within the Primary or Secondary Assessment Districts in Old Town Winchester.

• Organization applying for funds must be a non-profit organization. • Grants are only awarded if the City of Winchester receives the Local Challenge Grant.

Restrictions

• The funds cannot be used to pay a performer; the funds must be spent between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019.

Application Process

• November – OTDB application for funds is available on the Old Town Winchester website. • January 29 – Deadline for receipt of OTDB Grant Application • February 1 – OTDB reviews and votes on the application at the monthly board meeting in City

Hall • April 1- Local Challenge Grant application is submitted by the City of Winchester to VCA. • June – when the City Budget receives approval recipients will be notified of their status • July - VCA notifies Local Challenge Grant Recipients • August – Recipients are notified of the grant awards • August – April - Recipients may submit an invoice for granted funds. • April – Recipients submit receipts showing proof of expenditures and proof of credit using

appropriate logos.

Accountability – Applicants will be asked to provide receipts to show how the funds were used.

Addendum Questions

Please describe the relationship of the proposed art activity to the OTDB Mission which is to inspire community involvement, foster economic vitality, encourage creativity and entrepreneurship, and attract residents, visitors, and investors to Old Town Winchester.

Can this program or activity exist without the granted funds?

What is the overall budget cost/expense for the portion of the program which occurs/or could occur in Old Town Winchester?

What are the goals of the program or activity?

How will you measure the success of your event?

Is the program sustainable without grant funds?

Virginia Commission for the Arts

Local Government Challenge Grant Funds Distribution

FY19 Request*

FY19 Total

Estimated Costs

FY18 Awards

FY17 Awards

FY16 Awards

FY15 Awards

FY14 Awards

FY13 Awards

Bluemont Concert Series $4,000 $17,500 $2216.66 $4000 $3333 $3333 $3333 $3333

First Night Winchester $4,000 $45,000 $2216.66 $4000 $3333 $3333 $3333 $3333

Shenandoah Arts Council $3,500 $10,000 $2216.66 $2000 $3333 $3333 $3333 $3333

Skyline Indie Film Festival $3,500 $22,575 $2850

Winchester Little Theater $2,500 $5,500

Arts Chorale of Winchester $700 $700

Total Amount Requested For FY19

$18,200

*Anticipate $4,500 grant plus budgeted funds for a total $9,500 available to award.

Winchester Old Town Local Challenge Grant Narrative- FY2019

Can this program or activity exist without the granted funds

This year? Yes, but reduced in scope

Next year? Yes, but reduced in scope

Please explain how the grant funds will be used: Funds would be used to support the logistical side of

Bluemont’s summer concert series in downtown Winchester, including the “BluCru” internship program,

equipment needs, planning and publicity.

What is your organization’s mission and goals?

Mission Statement: Bluemont builds a shared sense of community by enhancing the rich local cultural

diversity and economic vitality of our communities through developing public and private coalitions

working together to establish ongoing quality cultural and educational programs.

Core Values Statement

Quality and Artistic Excellence: Bluemont seeks to maintain the highest standards for quality and artistic

excellence through diverse programming of cultural events and activities appropriate to community

gatherings at unique, central, accessible community venues.

Collaboration, Cooperation and Volunteerism: Bluemont organizes a regional collaboration of

community public and private sector partners and individual volunteers who share cultural, financial and

administrative resources resulting in cultural activities to complement the vitality and spirit of each

community.

Accountability, Dedication and Integrity: Bluemont seeks to maintain and clearly report the highest

standard for sound financial and administrative management for our organization’s non-profit

programs, and to maintain the highest standard for responsible governance through support of an

informed and active Board of Directors.

Education and Health of the Community: Bluemont recognizes that strong local schools are important to

the health of a community, and therefore seeks to present the highest quality cultural and

environmental education resources for the schools of our local communities; further, Bluemont seeks to

support the local community hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities by presenting

cultural performances as a regular part of our community programming.

Accessibility and Diversity: Bluemont strives to create a sense of community among those of diverse

cultural backgrounds within our community by providing a wide range of cultural, accessible

programming.

Goals for Bluemont in the Greater Winchester area or FY2019:

-Present 4-6 summer concerts/special events in downtown Winchester

-Continue to expand Artist-In-Education Program to present 10 programs in Winchester area public

schools

-Present 4-6 Healthcare outreach programs at local nursing homes and healthcare facilities.

Project Description (Describe the portion of your program, event, or activity which would occur in Old

Town Winchester and how it relates to the OTDB Mission which is to inspire community involvement,

foster economic vitality, encourage creativity and entrepreneurship, and attract residents, visitors,

and investors to Old Town Winchester.): For more than 40 years, Bluemont has brought cultural

programs to communities across Virginia, fostering a sense of place in towns and cities and enhancing

quality of life and educational opportunities for citizens. Bluemont Concert Series presents a variety of

programs in and around downtown Winchester, including Artists-In-Education programs that bring

cultural programs to enrich the curriculum at local schools, Healthcare Outreach performances that

reach elderly and disabled citizens in nursing homes and healthcare facilities, and community events

serving residents and visitors from young children to seniors.

Bluemont’s Summer Concerts are our most publicly visible program, with outdoor concerts presented in

front of the Old Frederick County Courthouse along the pedestrian mall in Old Town Winchester. Since

1979, these concerts have become a summertime tradition, bringing local residents and visitors alike to

enjoy an evening of affordable, family-friendly entertainment by world-class performers. Cultural events

tend to attract visitors who spend more, and the timing and location of the concerts tend to promote

additional interaction with downtown businesses, whether it’s a picking up a picnic dinner, stopping for

a drink after, or window shopping on the walk in and out. The series of concerts helps to create a habit

of making downtown Winchester a destination, and the tradition carried over many years fosters an

authentic sense of place.

As part of our summer concert program, Bluemont has developed an internship program to bring young

people into the field of producing arts events, and the “BluCru” as it is fondly known, has become an

institution, serving the twin goals of keeping the summer concerts affordable and accessible, and of

developing skills and entrepreneurial habits in youth. Bluemont trains young people on the BluCru in

behind-the-scenes activities associated with running cultural events, with a focus on sound

amplification. BluCru members acquire more than just technical skills: they learn responsibility,

teamwork, and leadership. For many of our interns on the BluCru, this opportunity is a first job and the

first entry on a professional resume or college application. This program gives young people the

opportunity to do meaningful work in their communities and to see the product of their hard work as

the first note is struck at each concert. Many graduates of the BluCru program have gone on to pursue

careers in event management, sound engineering, or music production and recording.

Bluemont works with the Winchester Old Town Development Board on cross-promotion projects during

our summer concert series. Since 1979, community organizations such as PTAs, local church groups, and

school booster clubs have sold refreshments to raise funds for their organizations, while downtown and

area merchants donate goods and services for raffle drawings at Bluemont Summer concerts. In 2017

community groups who helped present summer concerts included the Order of the Eastern Star, WATTS

(Winchester Area Thermal Shelter), Blue Ridge Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship, Clarke County

Band Association, and the Community Cat Advocats , while approximately 50 Winchester area residents

volunteer each summer to present our summer concert series. Each year, we collaborate with the

Eugene B. Smith Gallery to host a special “Thank You” event to recognize the volunteers and donors who

make Bluemont’s programs possible. Our close-knit relationship with local businesses, community

groups, volunteers, concertgoers, and local governments over the decades makes the summer concert

series an integral part of Winchester’s summer scene.

If granted, Winchester’s Old Town Local Challenge Grant funds will be allocated to support the logistical

side of Bluemont’s summer concert series in downtown Winchester. Our goal for the 2018 Summer

Concert Series is to present 4-6 outdoor concerts that are affordable and accessible to families and the

community. Winchester residents who attend a summer concert are asked to pay a nominal $5

admission fee, with discounts for children, seniors, and Bluemont members.

Traditionally, funding for Bluemont’s programs has come from a diverse fund base consisting of local

government support, foundation grants, and donations from individuals and businesses in the private

sector. The economic climate of the past several years, with the slow climb back from the recession, has

drastically affected the funding abilities and philosophies of local government entities across the state.

Public funding for Bluemont has dropped by 73% since Fiscal Year 2008. Despite these financial

challenges, Bluemont has taken effective steps to manage the impact of the recession and continue the

AIE and Healthcare Outreach programs during this period. In the short term, Bluemont has reduced

operating expenses in anticipation of reduced revenues. In the long term, we have implemented our

strategy for developing expanded revenue sources by obtaining leverage funds, increasing fundraising

efforts, and building new partnerships to last beyond trying economic times.

How will you measure success: Bluemont staff, its Board of Directors, and the Bluemont in Winchester

Committee evaluate programs and goals both quantitatively and qualitatively. The Board of Directors

reviews all numbers and evaluations, assessing how well programs fulfill Bluemont’s mission, then

recommends future program direction. Program viability in the Winchester area is reviewed in regard to

the level of artistic quality and contribution to Bluemont’s overall aesthetic program mix, as well as

program attendance and financial results. The development potential within the Winchester community

and contribution to our community’s needs are also reviewed as components of program viability. Our

staff prepares quantitative information and analyses of programs, dollars, and comparisons against the

budget and previous years’ performance. The Bluemont in Winchester Committee evaluates Winchester

area and Frederick County programs and makes recommendations accordingly. Additionally, Bluemont

provides evaluation forms and public surveys for all Artists-in-Education programs, summer concerts,

and special event partners.

2018 Old Town Loca! Cha!lenge Grant App

Applicant Name: C両stine Germeve「　　　　　Applicant Signature:

O「ganization Name:師St Night Winchester. Inc.　　　　　　　Phone榊540_327 3与03

Ma冊ng Address: P.0. Box 1392. Winchester. VA 22604

What is the overall budget cost/expense for the portion of the program which o∝urS/or couid occur in

OId Town Winchester? TotaI Estimated Cost: $ 45,000

Grant Amount Requested: $ 4』OO

Can this p「ogram or activity exist without the granted funds This Year? Yes Next Year? Yes

Please explain how the grant funds wouid be used. First Night Wincheste「wilI u輔ze this則ant for

marketing materiaIs, PrOmOtional advertising and a st「on貿er Online DreSenCe tO attraCt investors, mOre

residents and tourists to Old Town Winchester.

What is your organization’s mission and goaIs? The mission is bringing friends and families together

to unite ou「 communitv in a= its dive「sitv through the visual and performing arts. The goa=s to offe「

an affordabIe arts-enriched event bv co帖borating with a variety of area orga面zations.

P「oject Description (Describe the po巾on of γOur PrOgram, eVent Or a〔面vity which wouId occu「 in OId

Town Winchester and how it reIates to the OTDB Mission which is to insp存e community /nvoIvemen[,

舟ster economic v宛o施y, enCOumge CreOきivfty and en加epreneurshれond o請月日ct res胸ent$ V扇to均ond

mvestorsめO/d 7bwn Wmchesねr.): Fi「St Night Wincheste「 is an arts-enriched, family-focused tradition

that has inspi「ed communitv involvement for mo「e than 31 vea「s. The voIunteer board strives to offer a

diversified array of creative experiences in unique settings th「oughout OId Town Winchester. The event

fosters economic vitalitv with manv Winchester businesses, 「eStaurantS and hotels benefi龍ing from our

OatrOnS. On December 29, 2017. Con賃reSSWOman Barbara Comstock honored First Niかt Winchester for

being visionarv leaders who are commi龍ed to imDrOVing the qualitv of酷e for its communitv bv offering

an誼pma十i堆way of I臆'くhpring in †hp NpwYpar

How wiIi you measu「e su∝eSS? First Night Winchester measures its su∝eSS by co=aborating with a

muItitude of representatives. The o「節nization survevs its communitv partners, attendees, Derformers,

VOlunteers and investors. First Night Winchester anaivzes data co=ected from historic reoords and

Current O輔ne activitv. The or貿anization maintains an open Iine of communication with its partners

before, during and after †he event in an e冊⊃rt tO mntinue being sl書きCeSS丘,I Yf}ar訪ね「 yf掘「

How many people do you expect to serve and how wilI γOu meaSure this? First Night Wincheste「

expects to serve in excess of5.000 people. We measu「e this bv our button saIes and our partnershiDS

With the venues. voIunteers and Derf。rmerS.

Submit proof of your non-PrOfit status.

To Appiy: F紺out this application and submit it to the OId Town Winchester O飾ce at 33 E. Boscawen St.,

Winchester, VA 22601 by MONDAY. Januarv 29, 2O18. G「ant appIications w紺be reviewed and selected

applications proposais w帥be used by the City of Winchester to app看y for a VIrginia Commission for the

A巾S Local Cha=enge Grant. Grant funds w川only be awarded to appIicants if the City of Winchester

receives the grant, Granted activities must take pIace in the Old Town SpeciaI Assessment Districts

between 」uiy l, 2018 and 」une 30, 2O19. Funds cannot be used to directly pay for pe「formers.

 

 

                                       2018 Old Town Local Challenge Grant Application 

Applicant Name:  Vonderene Swigart   Applicant Signature:   

Organization Name:  Winchester Little Theatre – WLT for Kids          Phone #:  540‐662‐3331 

Mailing Address:  315 West Boscawen Street, Winchester, VA 22601 

What is the overall budget cost/expense for the portion of the program which occurs/or could occur in Old Town Winchester?  Total Estimated Cost:  $5500.00           

Grant Amount Requested:  $2500.00  

Can this program or activity exist without the granted funds This Year? Yes                 Next Year?  Yes 

Please explain how the grant funds would be used. We would use any funding to enhance our existing 

WLT for Kids program by offering additional workshops and classes on topics such as costuming, make 

up, improvisation, stage combat and many other aspects of theatre arts.  It would also allow us to 

purchase specialty costume and prop pieces.  

What is your organization’s mission and goals?  The Winchester Little Theatre is a non‐profit community 

organization dedicated to encouraging excellence in the production, acting, directing and writing of 

plays.  Our goals include bringing high quality entertainment and culture to our community through a 

variety of endeavors in the performing arts and providing an inclusive theatre experience for young 

people in the area. WLT strives to provide an open avenue for individual creative expression through 

participation in all aspects of producing high‐quality amateur theatrical productions.  Additionally, WLT 

is committed to increasing community interest in the performing arts, providing educational and 

recreational opportunities and in creating an organizational environment, which encourages the 

participation of community members from all age groups and interest levels. 

Project Description (Describe the portion of your program, event or activity which would occur in Old 

Town Winchester and how it relates to the OTDB Mission which is to inspire community involvement, 

foster economic vitality, encourage creativity and entrepreneurship, and attract residents, visitors, and 

investors to Old Town Winchester.):    

Every performance at Winchester Little Theatre involves hundreds of local community volunteers.  They 

spend many hours of their time putting creativity to work.  They produce top of the line stage sets by 

using specialized skills such as designing, building, painting, and using scenery and props to bring an 

atmosphere to life.  The skills and creativity of the on stage performers along with the make‐up artists 

and costume designers that assist them in character creation bring any story to life. These sets and the 

level of performers that thrive at Winchester Little Theatre attract not only local patrons, but also 

patrons from surrounding cities and counties.  Many of these patrons and community volunteers shop 

and dine in Old Town Winchester.  

How will you measure success?  The number of local and visiting audience members who attend the 

WLT for Kids productions at Winchester Little Theatre, which is the only community theater in 

Winchester, will measure success.  In addition, survey results from over 50 participating local youth 

actors will provide feedback on the value of our WLT for Kids summer program to area resident middle 

and high school students.   

How many people do you expect to serve and how will you measure this? With ninety‐seven seats 

available in our theater and 14 performances for each of the two summer shows, we have the potential 

to serve over two thousand seven hundred audience members in the months of June and July.  The 

actual number of patrons will measure success.  

Submit proof of your non‐profit status. 

To Apply: Fill out this application and submit it to the Old Town Winchester Office at 33 E. Boscawen St., 

Winchester, VA 22601 by MONDAY, January 29, 2018. Grant applications will be reviewed and selected 

applications proposals will be used by the City of Winchester to apply for a Virginia Commission for the 

Arts Local Challenge Grant.  Grant funds will only be awarded to applicants if the City of Winchester 

receives the grant. Granted activities must take place in the Old Town Special Assessment Districts 

between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. Funds cannot be used to directly pay for performers.