Wyoming Arts Council

Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund awards more than $700,000 in 2007 grants



Renee Bovee, our former Wyoming Arts Council colleague and now Wyoming Cultural Trust administrator, sent this press release:

Wyoming’s citizens and visitors enjoyed an enhanced calendar of cultural events and activities during 2007 thanks to the initial year of funding by the state’s Cultural Trust Fund and the granting of more than $700,000.

Additionally, through a required local match for each funded project, and donated goods and services, each Cultural Trust dollar granted received a return of 26 to 1 on the investment.

During the past year, the Cultural Trust Fund conducted two granting rounds and awarded $709,709 to 52 nonprofit and governmental agencies throughout the Cowboy State for a wide variety of projects. These projects include historic preservation grants, educational programs, organizational infrastructure and cultural events and activities.

“These grants provide an incredible opportunity for these organizations and for their communities,” Renee Bovee, (pronounced Bo-Vay) administrator of the Cultural Trust said. “For the investment of a little more than $700,000 this year, the grant recipients will be raising and bringing to their communities investments exceeding $18 million. This means these programs; services, projects and events not only have a good chance of succeeding, but of having a noticeable and significant impact on the quality of their citizens’ lives.”

As many as 94 applications from 85 separate organizations requested more than $3 million in grant support.

The Cultural Trust Fund was established with a $5 million endowment established by the Wyoming Legislature in 2005 and then increased by another $5 million during the 2006 session. The Cultural Trust Fund operates on interest earnings from this endowment and doesn’t have the resources to fund all of the quality projects at a full level. Through a strenuous evaluation process, 52 projects received partial funding.

“The Cultural Trust Fund is dedicated to assuring that innovative, quality projects are given the chance to make a difference in our Wyoming communities,” David Reetz, Powell, chair of the Cultural Trust Fund Board said. “The variety of projects funded demonstrates the depth and breadth of cultural resources in this state. The commitment community’s show in providing quality experiences for their citizens is admirably strong.

“Wyoming’s history and historic resources, arts and cultural experiences broaden and enhance the lives of the people in these communities…and they are coming forward to ensure that these projects and events succeed,” Reetz continued.

The Cultural Trust’s mission is to support Wyoming’s culture and heritage through grant funding of innovative projects for the enjoyment, appreciation, promotion, preservation and protection of the state’s arts, cultural and historic resources; and to support and invest in Wyoming institutions that help further this mission.

For more information about the Cultural Trust Fund, visit http://www.artsparkshistory.com/ or call Renee at 307-777-6312.


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