South Shore Arts, the Region 1 (Lake, Porter & LaPorte Counties) representative for the Indiana Arts Commission will present the FY11 Grants awards at the bi-monthly South Shore Chamber Luncheon on October 13th at the Venue in Valparaiso from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The cost of the luncheon is $20.00 and is open to the general public. The grants serve as an incentive for developing and strengthening the capacity of communities to plan and implement quality arts activities within their communities. 
Grant Awards will be presented at three different levels. Arts Organization Support II, Arts Organizations Support I, and Arts Project Support. Arts Organization Support II is available to organizations with an operating budget over $500,000 and who have arts programming and/or service as their primary mission. These organizations may apply for up to $20,000. Three organizations qualified for AOSII funding: The in Michigan City ($18,442), Ridgewood Arts Foundation of Munster ($17,781), and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra of Munster ($17,206).
Arts Organization Support I are those organizations with an operating budget under $500,000 with arts programming and/or service as their primary mission. Organizations in this category may apply for up to $10,000. Nine organizations qualified for funding in this category: LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra in LaPorte ($9,397), Community Theatre Guild in Valparaiso ($9,363), Association of Artists and Craftsmen in Chesterton ($9,284), Indiana Ballet Theatre in Crown Point ($9,174), Books, Brushes and Bands in Hammond ($8,969), South Shore Dance Alliance in Gary (8,480), Beachfront Dance School ($7,961), Friends of Emerson in Gary ($7,913) and Festival Players Guild in Michigan City (7,853). Five additional arts organizations received funding: Area Artists in Michigan City ($4,678), Michigan City Chamber Music Festival in Michigan City ($4,568), Morning Bishop Theatre in Gary ($4,336), South Shore Performing Arts in Chesterton ($4,147), East Chicago Arts Initiative ($4,190).
The Arts Project Support provides funding to arts and non-arts organizations to support a distinct aspect of the organization’s arts activities, such as a one-time event, a single production, an exhibition, an educational seminar, or a series of related arts activities, such as art classes or training sessions. Eleven organizations received funding at this level: Lakeshore Public Television in Merrillville ($3,749), Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso ($3,749), Board of Munster Parks and Recreation in Munster ($3,732), Boys and Girls Clubs of NWI in Gary ($3,714), YMCA of Hammond ($3,656), Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso ($3,589), City of Crown Point ($3,524), Northwest Family Services in Hammond ($3,473), Chorus Angelorum of Whiting ($3,419), Valparaiso University ($3,553) and the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center in Porter ($2,203). In total, $192,101 in grant money was awarded to organizations in Region 1.
Reservations are required and may be made by contacting Kelly Freeman at 219/836-1839, ext. 100 or e-mailing her at Kelly@southshoreartsonline.org.