This new and unique grant opportunity provides flexible funds to support a project that addresses common needs or opportunities presented by the Coronavirus pandemic and economic recession.

Unlike prior Art & Science fund project grant opportunities, proposed projects must include at least one project partner and the project must enhance the work or opportunity of multiple nonprofits or stakeholders.

Flagstaff Arts Council is contracted by the City of Flagstaff to be the Art, Science, and Culture Agency and to administer Art & Science fund grant programs. Each year, through the City budgeting process, a portion of the voter-dedicated Art & Science BBB funds are allocated to grant programs. This year, $360,000 was allocated. $20,000 from this sum was held for this special COVID specific grant opportunity. In addition to this amount, we were able to secure an additional $20,000 from the City of Flagstaff for these specific opportunities.

The following details the awarded Flagstaff nonprofits, their collaborative project, and their awarded amount:

Tynkertopia: Coding Mentorship Program – $10,000
Tynkertopia will create a Coding Mentorship Program that connects middle and high school students with elementary school students to focus on expanding creativity and inquiry skills through coding. The Coding Mentorship Program will provide direct, sustained, and timely learning opportunities in science, mathematics, and technology to participants.

Flagstaff Shakespeare: Festival Flagstaff Arts Visibility Series – $12,000
Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival and  Museum of Contemporary Art, Flagstaff (MOCAF) will collaborate to produce a series of five videos showcasing as many local artists as possible. This project will help fund local artists, increase awareness of Flagstaff’s incredible art scene, and aim to increase the online following of local artists.

Human Nature Dance Theatre: The Uncertainty Principle – $10,000
Human Nature Dance Theatre will create a series of live performances which will be available to view in-person, in safe socially-distanced settings, as well as live-streamed on social media. These performances will also be filmed and shown at a drive-in style event.  These performances will be a mass collaboration with many local artists including Animation Artist Rodrigo de Toledo, Filmmaker Amanda Kapp, Visual and Sound Artist Frederica Hall, Lighting designer Eric Sounders, Dancer Eriko Starley and Performance Artist Nicole Langille-Jelsing as well as Chris Lughinbuhl and Dark Skies Coalition.

Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society: Heritage Society Virtual Presentations and Workshops – $7,750
With the assistance from this grant, the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society (NACHS) will be able to acquire the necessary technology and equipment to continue the virtual presentations and workshops, which began pre-pandemic. Additionally, NACHS will collaborate with the Northern Arizona Book Festival to present their book-reading series virtually.