Delaware Division of the Arts - 2023 Annual Report
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we share the accomplishments and growth that the Delaware Division of the Arts experienced in 2023 Guided by our strategic plan, Cultivating Creativity: 2021-2025, we have diligently worked to empower non-profit arts organizations, community organizations, schools, and individual artists through granting initiatives, programs, and resources
Even as we navigated continuing challenges, the transformative power of the arts was a vital source of inspiration and hope that contributed to the health and well-being of citizens throughout Delaware. 2023 saw increased access to arts programming that benefited students, diverse communities, and the 55+ population Additional opportunities for artists allowed them to share their unique cultures and expressions of creativity And new organizations were supported in their efforts to present arts programming in more venues across the state These activities provided opportunities to connect, educate, inspire, and think beyond the ordinary
The importance of the arts cannot be overstated They are the lifeblood of our communities, enriching our lives in countless ways They educate, inspire, and challenge us to think beyond the ordinary They serve as a mirror reflecting our shared human experiences and as a bridge connecting diverse cultures and perspectives. The arts stimulate our imaginations, foster innovation, and contribute significantly to our economy.
We recognize that the arts are a catalyst for positive change Their impact on individuals, communities, and the economy has been well-documented With the continued support of the State Administration, our partners, organizations, and individuals, it is our goal at the Division to cultivate creativity in every corner of the state With your unwavering support, we will continue to cultivate creativity in Delaware, nurturing the seeds of artistic expression that will continue to flourish and define our great state
Ball Director, Delaware Division of the Arts
2023 Highlights
Prioritized professional development in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access
Expanded community access to Division grants and services
Broadened support for individual artists
belief in their power to transform lives
Grew opportunities for lifelong learning and participation in the arts
Increased the visibility and awareness of the arts across the state
Positioned the arts as vital to Delaware’s economy
Jessica
J. Mack Wathen Chair, Delaware State Arts Council
Grant Breakdown
2023 Outcomes
Outcome 1: Quality arts education experiences for
all
The Division provided targeted, special grant funding, in partnership with the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education, to increase arts access to 683, 4th and 5th grade students by supporting artist residencies at never-beforefunded Delaware schools in underserved communities
Thirty-six TranspARTation Grants were awarded to schools to support field trips to Delaware arts organizations.
The Summer Professional Development Institute 2023 for arts teachers was presented in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education
A second round of Creative Aging Program Training was presented in partnership with Lifetime Arts to support 25 new teaching artists in the creation and execution of successful creative aging programs
Outcome 2: A healthy arts ecosystem where artists are supported and connected, and arts organizations are financially sustainable
Services for artists included redesigned Delaware Artist Roster with expanded capabilities to showcase and market artists; Mezzanine Gallery exhibitions; and event posting on statewide calendar, DelawareScene com
The Artist Career Development Pilot Program was launched to provide support to three emerging, diverse, practicing Delaware artists through funding stipends, professional development, peer mentoring, and expanded connections and career opportunities.
Individual donor investment was encouraged in the arts through the Division’s participation in the statewide DoMore24 fundraising campaign in support of arts organizations
The Division continued its assessment and evaluation of all grantmaking processes to provide more equitable accessibility and funding allocations to organizations and artists.
Outcome 3: Artists, arts organization staff, and arts programming reflect the diversity of our communities
Administration of the Arts Equity and Innovation Incubator continued in FY23 with a program that engaged four large arts organizations in comprehensive assessment and training in IDEA and program sustainability, and funded project development in new and sustainable practices guided by the principles of IDEA.
The Division organized and led four virtual Equity and Communications Workshops for ten small and medium-sized arts organizations in Delaware: three in Kent, two in Sussex, and five in New Castle County Dr. Brea Heidelberg and Deidra Montgomery led focused sessions on promoting equity within organizations and improving cultural humility and communication skills Each organization received funding to further their efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Outcomes included discussions on systemic racism, accessibility evaluations by expressive therapy artists, collaborative projects celebrating marginalized communities, and family-friendly performances
The Access Creative Aging initiative, in partnership with the Delaware Division of Libraries, is designed to provide Delaware’s 55+ population with opportunities for artistic expression, social interaction, and enhanced mental and physical health through meaningful engagement in the arts Over the course of seventeen months, the successful eight-week, in-person programs at nineteen libraries had a combined total of more than 140 programming hours led by professional teaching artists in the visual, performing, and literary arts
The Division continued to fund artists and programs in the Folk & Traditional Arts through organizational and individual artist grants and the new SETA (Students Engaged in Traditional Arts) program that offered traditional folk artist-led, after school programs for 8 weeks at three Boys and Girls Clubs (one in each county of the state).
Outcome 4: Division grants and services are recognized by all, particularly by artists, organizations, and community leaders
From January 1 to June 30, a comprehensive Division marketing effort was deployed This multi-channel campaign encompassed outdoor advertising, TV and streaming commercials, radio spots, social media campaigns, magazine ads, and more. This initiative yielded promising results, with an 88% increase in traffic to a newly designed DelawareScene.com and a notable uptick in new organizations listing their events on the portal
Targeted outreach activities reached new and underserved constituents and groups to increase awareness and participation in Division grants and services resulted in a 17% increase in new community-based applicants
The Division served as a resource for arts programming and creative placemaking activities to numerous agencies, community groups, and municipalities including Division of Libraries, Division of Parks and Recreation, Delaware State University Arts Center/Gallery, University of DE, National League of American Pen Women, City of Milton, City of Lewes, and City of Dover
The Division partnered with DETV to create the "Arts Alive Delaware" TV program, featuring 10-minute, documentary style, segments showcasing the work of grantee organizations
Our Delaware State of the Arts Podcast is now available for listens on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and more
Stephanie Boateng (left), Hannah Whiddon (center), and Guy Miller (right) were chosen for the pilot of the Artist Career Development Program The Artist Career Development (ACD) pilot program provides competitive, two-year sustained support for three emerging or mid-career Delaware artists, one in each county Selected artists will receive $10,000 each program year to advance their artistic and business practices, and to build community connections The program includes a hybrid cohort model with some professional development and meetings in-person and others asynchronous focused on the artists’ current and future needs to sustain their work In year two, selected artists will plan an arts activity for a community in their county in partnership with an arts or community-based organization.
From a field of 12 Delaware high school students, Maiss Hussein, a junior from Paul M Hodgson Vocational Technical High School, earned the title of 2023 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion at the state finals held at the Smyrna Opera House on March 2, 2023 The first runner-up was Kaylee Rathbone from Sanford School and the second runner-up was Abigail Ehemann from Saint Mark’s High School
The Poetry Out Loud state competition, sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition
Bekah Booth Delaware Valley Classical School
Maiss Hussein
Paul M Hodgson Vocational Technical High School
Emily Roth MOT Charter High School
Aiden Morris Mount Sophia Academy
Lale Ergen Newark Charter High School
Julia Nowaczyk Padua Academy
Hunter Brown Red Lion Christian Academy
Abigail Ehemann Saint Mark's High School
Kaylee Rathbone Sanford School
Joelle Caternor Smyrna High School
Morgan Burnett Sussex Central High School
Ololade Olubowale The Tatnall School
General Operating Support
Support of annual operating expenses to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Delaware This grant category utilizes a three-year application cycle Full applications are due every three years, with Interim Applications due in the “off” year Applications open December 1 with an annual deadline of March 1
Delaware Art Museum
Grand Opera House
Joshua M Freeman Foundation
Delaware Theatre Company
Music School of Delaware
Delaware Symphony Association
Biggs Museum of American Art
Christina Cultural Arts Center
New Candlelight Productions
OperaDelaware
The Delaware Contemporary
Clear Space Theatre Company
Rehoboth Art League
Winterthur Museum, Inc.
The Choir School of Delaware
Rehoboth Beach Film Society
First State Ballet Theatre
Delaware Celebration of Jazz
Delaware Dance Company
Center for the Creative Arts
The Everett, Inc.
Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance
Delaware Shakespeare
Smyrna-Clayton Heritage Association
Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education
Delaware Children's Theatre
Wilmington Drama League
Inner City Cultural League
Wilmington Children's Chorus
Brandywine Baroque
Possum Point Players
$249,900
$246,800
$197,300
$146,300
$136,500
$105,600
$104,000
$98,200
$88,300
$86,700
$84,200
$73,800
$73,200
$72,500
$58,000
$52,000
$43,400
$43,000
$42,300
$38,700
$36,700
$32,100
$30,900
$30,500
$23,700
$19,500
$18,700
$16,000
$15,400
$13,900
$13,000
Education Resource Grants
Art Works for All Developing Artist Collaboration
Milford 2nd Street Players
Coastal Concerts
Mispillion Art League
Pieces of A Dream
Art Therapy Express Program
Newark Symphony Orchestra
Newark Arts Alliance
Delaware Choral Society
Market Street Music Corporation
Kent County Theatre Guild Foundation
City Theater Company
Rehoboth Summer Children's Theatre
Seaford Community Concert Association
University Drama Group
Delaware Choral Arts Association
Dover Art League
Capital Ringers Inc
Rainbow Chorale of Delaware
Southern Delaware Chorale
Bootless Stageworks
Milton Arts Guild
CoroAllegro
The Children's Theatre
New Light Theatre Company
Delaware Photographic Society
Milford Community Band
Rehoboth Concert Band
Wilmington Concert Opera
Wilmington Wintergrass
Grants to strengthen standards-based arts education projects, programs, and activities that utilize the arts education resources of the Delaware arts community or strengthen arts organizations’ capacity to serve as professional development resources for teaching artists and educators Applications open December 1 with an annual deadline of March 1
Grand Opera House
OperaDelaware
Joshua M Freeman Foundation
Choir School of Delaware, Inc
Delaware Theatre Company
Delaware Symphony Association
Kuumba Academy Charter School
StartUp Program
$15,000
$15,000
$15,000
$14,500
$14,300
$11,000
$10,450
Delaware Art Museum
The Delaware Contemporary
Winterthur Museum, Inc
Art Works for All
First State Ballet Theatre
Biggs Museum of American Art
Delaware Shakespeare
A comprehensive program of financial support, training, and consultation to develop and strengthen the management capacity of emerging arts organizations so that they can operate in a sustainable manner Completion of the StartUp program is a prerequisite for emerging organizations seeking General Operating Support Applications open December 1 with a Letter of Intent due by January 15 and an annual application deadline of March 1.
Reed's Refuge
$2,500
Jester Artspace
$2,000
Project Support Grants
Support for arts programs provided by CBOs that assist in the growth of a vibrant cultural environment by encouraging the continued development of arts activities in communities throughout the state. College and university projects must be non-credit and serve the general community Applications open December 1 with an annual deadline of March 1
University of Delaware
Resident Ensemble Players
Master Players
School of Music
Cityfest Inc
Clifford Brown Year Round Series
Arts Work Youth Apprenticeship Program
Boysie Lowery Jazz Residency
Arden Club
One Village Alliance Inc
Gamma Theta Lambda Education Foundation
CAMP Rehoboth
Cab Calloway School Fund
Cornerstone West CDC
Kingswood Community Center
YMCA of Delaware
Arts
Stabilization Grants
$52,000
$42,500
$7,000
$21,000
$19,000
$10,000
$20,000
$17,100
$10,000
$8,000
$7,500
$7,100
Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware
Lewes Public Library
Cancer Support Community Delaware
Wilmington Alliance, Inc.
Delaware Pacem in Terris
Friends of Wilmington Parks
Collaborative Effort to Reinforce
Transition Success
City of Lewes
Delaware Futures
Dover Public Library
VILLAGE TREE INC
City of Newark
Bowers Beach Maritime Museum
Plastic Free Delaware
The Ministry of Caring
$7,000 $7,000 $5,000 $4,400 $4,000 $4,000
Support for improvements to facilities owned (or under long-term lease) and operated by the organization. ASF grants are funded through the Division’s participation in the Arts Consortium of Delaware, Inc. (ArtCo) endowment. Applications open December 1 with an annual deadline of March 1
Wilmington Drama League
Joshua M Freeman Foundation
The Delaware Contemporary Center for the Creative Arts
Arts Access Grants
$17,000
$17,000
$16,200
$15,000
Milford 2nd Street Players
Possum Point Players
Delaware Children's Theatre
Pieces of a Dream
Arts Access provides small grants of up to 80 percent of eligible cash expenses, not to exceed $1,250, to support the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state.
Afro-American Historical Society of DE Bowers Parks and Recreation
Coastal Camera Club
Delaware Dance Education Organization
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Delaware Friends of Folk
Delaware Winds, Inc.
Friends of Cooch's Bridge Historic Site
Latin American Community Center
Main Street Dover
Artist Opportunity Grants
Milford Public Library
Mispillion Performance Series
National League of American Pen Women
Native Roots Farm Foundation
Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation
Artist Opportunity Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to support unique professional and artistic development and presentation opportunities for artists
Dr. JoAnn Balingit, Joseph Barbaccia, Siani Beckett, Asata Beeks, Tanya Bracey, David Burslem, Alan Burslem, Dr Traci Currie, Ellen Durkan, Kari Ebert, Billy Ferrell, Kyma Fulgence, JuneRose Futcher, Uttam Grandhi, Itzel Hernandez, Rebecca Howell, Michelle Johnson, Andre Jones, Elizabeth Kelly, Kimberly Klabe, Sa-Kreea Jackson, Michael Marotta, William Mills, Jr , Shawn Damon Morrison, Sara Mount, Christopher Nichols, Sara Paulish, Lauren E Peters, Ann Ramsey, Dana Ravyn, Sonja Robson, Alissa Rosenstein, Lisa Ryan, Erin Schwinn, Deborah Shebish, Guillermo Silveira, Jennifer Small, Margaret Spivey, Heather Straub, Theresa Taylor, Malory Terranova-McGovern, A.T. Moffett, Mary Trepper, Lindsey Warren, Shawn Washington, Lisa Westbrook, Hannah Whiddon, Emily Widdoes, Janet Williams, Ashlynn Zulinski
State of Delaware Administration
John Carney Governor Dr Bethany Hall-Long Lieutenant Governor
Jeffrey Bullock
Secretary of State Kristopher Knight Deputy Secretary of State
2023 Division Staff
Jessica Ball Director
Kristin Pleasanton Deputy Director
Kathleen Dinsmore Program Officer, Organization Support
Sheila Dean Ross
Program Officer, Arts Education and Accessibility
Roxanne Stanulis Program Officer, Artist Programs and Services
Andrew Truscott
Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
Leeann Wallett
Program Officer, Community Engagement
Dana Wise
Office Manager and Council Logistics
Dr JoAnn Balingit and Dr Traci Currie Poetry Out Loud State Coordinators
Bruce Decker
Mezzanine Gallery Coordinator
J. Mack Wathen (Chair) Middletown
Jacalyn Beam Greenville
Suzanne Burton Newark
David Fleming Wilmington
Catharine Lyons Smyrna
Keith Mosher Lincoln
John T. Muller
Dover
Joseph P. Nestlerode Townsend
Rosetta Roach Magnolia
Dr Daniel Shelton
Newark
Leslie J. Sysko
Wilmington
Gregory Watkins Middletown
Hilary Welliver
Dover
Beverly Zimmermann
Wilmington
2023 Grant Panelists
Diane Albanese, Jennifer Boland, India Colon-Diaz, Dr Lauren Conrad, Dan Cruce, Dr Traci Currie, Ashley S K Davis, Suite Franchon Dickinson, Richard Fitzgerald, Jennifer Gunther, Pete Harrigan, Ginny Jewell, David Kim, Kim Klabe, Kim Lopez, RuthAnn Purchase James, Patrick Ruhl, Sharon Smith, Jody Stein, David Warick, Vince Watchorn, Samara Weaver, Hilary Welliver
Cultivating creativity in Delaware through grants, trainings, and programs like:
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
DOVER OFFICE
99 Kings Highway Southwest Dover, DE 19901
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life
