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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September 19, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <br /> SUBJECT: Orange County Arts Commission 2017-18 Grant Recipients <br /> DEPARTMENT: Orange County Arts <br /> Commission <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> 2017-18 Grant Awards Spreadsheet Katie Murray, 919-245-2335 <br /> Grant Recipients and Representatives <br /> **Updated Attendee List to Follow** <br /> PURPOSE: To present checks to local artists and arts organizations receiving 2017-18 Orange <br /> County Arts Grants. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) awards grants to local artists, <br /> schools and nonprofit organizations from funds received from the state and Orange County <br /> government for this purpose. These funds are distributed for arts projects and programs in all <br /> arts disciplines. <br /> In 2017, the OCAC changed the grants cycle from a biannual cycle into one annual spring cycle. <br /> Condensing the grants process into one spring cycle allows the OCAC more time to focus on <br /> new projects and programs to better serve the arts community. <br /> Comparisons between this year's cycle and last year's biannual cycle are noted in the chart <br /> below. Notable changes include: <br /> • Despite concerns that the change in schedule would result in fewer applicants, only four <br /> fewer unique applicants (48) were received this spring than during both FY2016-17 <br /> cycles combined (52). <br /> • The percentage of funded applications dropped from 76% in FY2016-17 to 60% in <br /> FY2017-18 as a result of changes made to the scoring and funding policies. These <br /> procedural changes ensure the OCAC is operating in compliance with guidelines set forth <br /> by the NC Arts Council. <br /> • FY2017-18 saw a larger number of new applicants due to increased advertising and <br /> outreach. Traditional print and radio advertising was utilized as well as digital media. <br /> OCAC director Katie Murray also spoke before various groups and offered training <br /> sessions in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. <br />