Arts Fund strives to assist St. Joseph arts organizations
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A local program is helping to fund arts groups in St. Joseph.
The Arts Fund assists several agencies in St. Joseph, providing an average of 15% of each organizations funding.
There are seven organizations who received funding this year:
- Allied Arts Council
- Creative Arts Production
- Performing Arts Association
- Robidoux Resident Theatre
- Saint Joseph Symphony
- St. Joseph Community Chorus
- St. Joseph Youth Chorale
Jessica Agnew, the executive director of the Allied Arts Council, has a love for the arts. She explained that the Arts Fund provides a lot of help to local arts agencies.
"For most of these organizations, this Arts Fund can be anywhere from 10-35% of their operating budget, and that can really help them with their cause," Agnew said.
Agnew shared more about where money from the Arts Fund goes.
"So with the Arts Fund, it is the only arts grant and fund that specifically goes back to the arts in our community," Agnew said. "So every dollar raised comes back to the community."
The director of strategic communications for the Allied Arts Council, Brooke McBride, said the arts are beneficial for St. Joseph economically.
"I'm born and raised in St. Joe, but I did not realize the economic impact that these organizations have," McBride said. "We, as an arts community, brought in over $2.5 million in local, federal and state tax revenue in just one year."
McBride explained that by supporting the arts in St. Joseph, you are also supporting the city as a whole.
"It's a part of our community and it makes our community better and makes it livable," McBride said. "It helps us recruit new families, new positions and it helps improve our Downtown, which is something the city is always trying to focus on."
Agnew also said that art is all around us, and it is crucial to support that in St. Joseph.
"The vitality of our world depends on arts," Agnew said. "And to be able to have the opportunities we have in this community is huge and we can't do it without the support of others."
The Arts Fund has raised approximately $7 million for local arts organizations since 1982.
In order to donate to the Arts Fund, visit stjoearts.org or call 816-233-0231.
