The 2017 Artosphere Festival included Squonk Opera’s “Sonic Cycle” show during the festival’s Trail Mix events along the Razorback Greenway.
Courtesy photo
Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission members awarded $66,500 to help fund 13 upcoming events and projects during the group’s regular fall funding discussion held Monday afternoon inside the Fayetteville Town Center.
Twice each year, the commission awards funds to groups needing financial help with promoting or starting an event.
The group on Monday, however agreed to add a third funding cycle to better serve organizations whose events are scheduled late in the year, but who don’t have all the details ready to apply for funds as required in the spring.
Fall A&P funding amounts
| Awarded | Requested | More info | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $104,934 | $516,838 | Full story |
| 2015 | $138,492 | $386,873 | Full story |
| 2014 | $155,922 | $561,522 | Full story |
| 2013 | $261,880 | $421,980 | Story 1, 2 |
| 2012 | $145,328 | $293,115 | Full story |
| 2011 | $182,828 | $388,745 | Full story |
| 2010 | $222,176 | $737,295 | Full story |
Source: Staff report
Two applicants, the Little Craft Show and Ozark Off-Road Cyclists, have events planned at the end of this year. Instead of denying their applications, which should have been filed in time for the spring funding meeting, the commission voted separately to approve funding for those events using leftover money from the spring grant cycle.
Just like in the spring, Executive Director Molly Rawn assembled a team that used a defined rubric to come up with recommended award amounts. Applicants were rated on organizational capacity, administrative experience, advertising and promotional plans, and potential sales tax impact.
The only change to Rawn’s recommendations was to fully award the Walton Arts Center’s $15,000 request for the 2018 Artosphere Festival. Rawn had recommended putting $5,000 toward the event because it’s spread across three different cities and isn’t located solely in Fayetteville.
Commissioner Robert Rhoads said the arts center provides a regional draw for Fayetteville and shouldn’t be dinged in its request for hosting a multi-city event. Commissioner Todd Martin agreed and seconded Rhoads’ motion to fully fund the application. The group as a whole voted unanimously in favor of awarding the full $15,000.
Four organizations received no award for various reasons.
Rawn said two events – the Arts Live Theatre Gala and the Chase Foundation’s Chase the Blues Away – are strictly fundraising endeavors with no expected tourism impact.
Fenix Fayetteville requested $15,000 for an event at the Walker-Stone House, but Rawn said with the future use of the house being unclear at the moment, she was hesitant to recommend funding for the local arts group. Rawn said once the dates are set for the third funding cycle, Fenix Fayetteville could potentially reapply.
The NWA Juggling Association’s annual juggling festival was also denied funding during this round. Rawn said the festival, which has received funding for the past four years in a row, has not seen the type of growth she would expect from a continually funded event.
Both Rawn and commission chair Matthew Petty said Monday’s decision doesn’t preclude the organization from receiving funding in the future, but added that they’d like to first see a bigger push from the group to increase attendance.
Details of the third funding cycle and finalization of the fall funding awards are expected at next month’s regular meeting on Nov. 27.
Fall 2017 A&P Funding Awards
| Organization | Event | Awarded | Requested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts Live Theatre | Arts Live Theatre Gala | $0 | $5,800 |
| Botanical Garden of the Ozarks | Arkansas Flower and Garden Show | $5,000 | $14,519 |
| Chase Foundation | Chase the Blues Away | $0 | $5,000 |
| Community Creative Center | Ten-year Celebration | $4,500 | $15,000 |
| Fayetteville Public Schools | Weekend of Champions | $10,000 | $14,961 |
| Fenix Fayetteville | Spring Art Festival | $0 | $15,000 |
| Hogeye Events, Inc. | Razor Run | $3,000 | $7,500 |
| Little Craft Show | Little Craft Show | $2,500 | $10,000 |
| Michael Hoerman | Crossover | $1,000* | $5,000 |
| NWA Center for Equality | NWA Pride | $7,000 | $10,000 |
| NWA Juggling Association | NWA Juggling Festival | $0 | $1,400 |
| Open Mouth Reading Series | 2018 Poetry Series and Festival | $1,000* | $12,000 |
| Ozark Off-Road Cyclists | Playing in the Dirt | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Power Yoga Retreats | Fayetteville Yoga Fest | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| SoNA | Season Marketing Support | $4,500 | $12,000 |
| Spark Foundation | Nutty Runner 5K | $3,000 | $8,930 |
| Walton Arts Center | Artosphere | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Totals | $66,500 | $172,110 |
* A&P will place a $1,000 targeted online advertisement on behalf of the event
