The Renton Municipal Arts Commission (RMAC) has extended the deadline for the “Art Matters!”  arts and culture funding opportunity. The Commission will accept proposals for the 2012 Arts Grant Program until Friday, February 17, 2012. Funding is for arts and culture community projects that help forward the Arts Commission’s goal to facilitate the implementation of Renton’s Arts & Culture Master Plan. The Arts & Culture Master Plan was adopted by the Renton City Council in August 2010 and can be viewed on the Arts & Culture Master Plan webpage. 

The 2011 “Art Matters!” grants went to:

• Allied Arts of Renton
  $500 - Support Fall Family Concert
• Arts Unlimited
  $600 - Support Downtown Renton Art & Antique Walk
• Evergreen City Ballet
  $1,000 - Support Dance Alive - an arts education program for students in elementary school
• Renton Annual Art Show
  $500 - Support Art Show
• Renton Civic Theatre
  $1,000 - Support the Summer Teen Musical
• Renton River Days
  $500 - Support cultural groups and local performers
• Renton Technical College
  $658.30 - Support Hands On! Festival art projects
• Renton Youth Symphony Orchestra
  $500 - Music coach for students performing in May & December concerts
• Restoration of the Arts
  $500 - Support "The Sound" a main-stage performance with youth performers

The Arts Commission anticipates awarding grants that range from $500 to $6,000 for the 2012 Art Grant Program. Artists and organizations promoting art for the greater Renton community can apply for funding. Grant awards will be announced by March 12 and projects must be completed by November 30, 2012. For more information and an application, visit ArtsCommission.rentonwa.gov or contact 425-430-6589 or arts@rentonwa.gov.

More grants will be available in the fall, such as the small arts project grants, one of which went to create a mural at the Renton Technical College basic studies department.