The Delta Regional Authority on Wednesday announced its new Delta Creative Placemaking Initiative and intention to contribute nearly $460,000 to stimulate economic and community development efforts in local communities through the region’s arts and culture sectors.
The organization will provide “seed investments” of up to $30,000, plus 50 hours of coaching, mentoring and technical assistance, per successful applicant.
Applications should be submitted here. A matching amount that could include in-kind contributions will be required to receive the $30,000.
The DRA and its partners will also host series of regional workshops designed to inform local elected officials, local development districts, economic development staff and leadership and other non-arts sector decision-makers about the advantages of supporting the creative and cultural economies and how to accomplish their goals through regional collaboration and strategic planning.
The six workshops already scheduled include one in Arkansas. It is set for June 29-30 at The Grange at Wilson Gardens, 15 S. Jefferson St., in Wilson.
DRA Federal Co-chairman Chris Masingill said in a news release, “We understand that we must support our region’s cultural and creative economies to assure the rural way of life will continue as we build more entrepreneurial and inclusive communities.”
Partners in the effort include ArtPlace America, the Rural Policy Research Institute, National Association of Counties, National Association of Development Organizations, Springboard for the Arts and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.
The DRA also said in the release that, in Arkansas, employment in arts and culture grew 2 percent in 2014, accounting for about 35,000 jobs in the state and about 3 percent of statewide employment.