Carmel Arts Grants To Benefit 27 Organizations

Press release from the City of Carmel:

March 9, 2022

CARMEL, IN – The City of Carmel has awarded 27 local organizations with $1,166,770 in grants from the City’s 2022 Arts Grant Program. This is the 19th year the City of Carmel has provided financial support for local arts, which amounts to roughly one percent of the city budget each year. Since 2004, more than $16 million has been allocated to support local arts programs.

The City of Carmel's mission is to invest money wisely in order to improve the quality of life in Carmel, a vital part of our overall economic development strategy to attract private investments. Building a framework for a community that values the arts has helped us attract new corporate employers and a talented workforce to fill their jobs.

As part of that strategy, it is important to support our local arts groups. Studies by the Americans for the Arts show typical visitors to an event spend close to $30 per person, per event, in addition to the cost of admission. That’s money spent at our local restaurants, art galleries and other businesses.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors staying in Carmel spent about $353 million annually in lodging, food and beverage, transportation and attractions purchases and contribute significantly to the overall county tourism impact. This economy typically supports 5,000 jobs in Carmel and helps local taxpayers reap the support of $42 million in additional state and local tax revenues, which help us keep our local city property tax rate among the lowest in the State of Indiana among 126 cities.

Carmel’s support for the arts also helps the overall impact in Hamilton County. For every dollar spent in Hamilton County, 90 cents stays local. Visitor spending supports 11,554 jobs in Hamilton County and helps generate nearly $98.6 million in state and local taxes. About $820 million is spent by tourists in Hamilton County, which is ranked No. 3 in the state for total visitor spending.

During the pandemic, these numbers were much lower as travel was curtailed and most entertainment venues and events were shut down.

Applications for the City of Carmel’s Arts Grant Program can be submitted every year beginning the first week of November. Qualified non-profit organizations can visit the City’s website for further information. Applicants will be notified of grant awards by the first week of January.

Following is the list of the 2022 Arts Grant recipients to date:

Actors Theatre of Indiana, $213,600Bigger Picture Film Group, $4,450Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, $186,900Carmel Apprentice Theater, LLC (The CAT), $80,100Carmel Arts Council, $2,670Carmel Clay Historical Society, $3,775Carmel Community Players, $13,350Carmel Fountain Square Committee, $10,680Carmel Klavier, $23,140Carmel Repertory Theatre, $4,450Carmel Symphony Orchestra, $244,750Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, $13,350Christian Youth Theater of Indianapolis (CYT), $2,225Great American Songbook Foundation, $142,000Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, $71,200Indiana Artisan, $35,600Indiana Association of Chinese Americans, $3,115Indiana Ballet Conservatory, $22,250Indiana Wind Symphony, $35,600Indianapolis Children’s Choir, $5,785Indianapolis Opera, $7,120Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, $15,130International Talent Academy, $8,900Janus Developmental Services, $8,900M3 Theatre Camp, $1,780Museum of Miniature Houses, $4,450Youth Inspirations Theatre, $1,500

This press release was produced by the City of Carmel. The views expressed here are the author’s own.