City grant workshop scheduled on Monday

The city of San Marcos Arts Commission is now accepting funding applications for projects that promote the arts, tourism and cultural diversity in our community.  

 The city will host a free grant writing workshop presented by Lisa Westerbeck on Monday, Aug. 13 from 6 - 8 p.m.  at the San Marcos Activity Center,  501 E. Hopkins, to help artists and organizations navigate the grant application process.

Grant applications

The deadline to apply for funding is Monday, Sept. 17.  Applicants are encouraged to schedule a pre-review meeting with city staff to discuss and review applications prior to final submittal. Full details, guidelines, and application forms are available online at www.sanmarcostx.gov/arts 

Art projects must meet the following criteria to be eligible for funding:

• Promote the arts, which may include instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture, design and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and craft arts, motion pictures, radio, television, tape and sound recording, and other arts related to the presentation, execution and exhibition of these major art forms.  
• Promote local tourism and the convention industry.
• Projects must be open to the general public.

Cultural Diversity projects are those that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Preserves, produces, or presents art forms and cultural activities specific to any ethnic culture.
• Expresses the experiences of historically underserved ethnic and other communities (which include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and the Gay/Lesbian Community).
• Celebrates San Marcos’ ethnic diversity and variety of cultural traditions.
• Connects diverse communities through educational or interactive activities.

 Examples of previously funded events include Summer in the Park, Indigenous Cultures Institute – Scared Springs Powwow, Eddie Durham Jazz Festival, Walker’s Gallery, Suzuki Strings Workshop, Opening Door Dance Theatre Performance, and the Pride Festival.  

Workshop

 Let’s get Creative: An Introductory Grant Writing Workshop for Artists will be a fun “playshop” for individuals or teams who want to kick start their ideas for projects or programs. It appeals to both logical, “left-brained” and creative, “right-brained” learning styles.

This workshop helps participants:

• Answer the most important questions in project development
• The need to operationalize your budget (and how to do this)
• Develop funding strategies
• Learn basic budgeting techniques
• Arm participants with tools and templates to fully develop ideas and successfully apply for funding

 RSVP for the grant writing workshop by emailing lmorris@sanmarcostx.gov.

 Lisa Westerbeck has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Arizona and B.A. in Anthropology and Geography from Texas State University. Lisa’s first experience with writing and managing grants began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Poland in 1999. Since then she has worked with grants in local and regional governments, as well as academia, attaining more than $7 million over the past decade. She currently is employed by Texas State and is part of the Center for Communication, Collaboration & Creativity, helping faculty in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Westerbeck’s specialties include grant writing, project management, relationship building and budget development.

 For more information about the workshop or the grant application process, contact Lisa Morris, Recreation Programs manager at the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department at 512-393-8400.