NEED FUNDING TO PROMOTE A CULTURAL EVENT?

Arts Council Offers Free Workshops To Help Grant Applicants

Carlos Delgado and his wife Diana from Dega Art Surfaces, the original artists of the African Cemetery Memorial at Higgs Beach in Key West, are doing touch-up painting work of the ground mural this and next week. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1860, three illegal slave ships were intercepted by the U.S. Navy and diverted to Key West. The Key West community was so appalled at the treatment of the human cargo that they worked collectively to provide food and shelter for the almost 1,500 Africans who would have been sold into slavery. Despite the efforts, hundreds died and were buried at Higgs Beach.

In the summer of 2002, archaeologists and volunteers conducted a ground-penetrating radar survey around Higgs Beach, finding shallow graves near the sidewalk. During additional surveys in 2010, at least 100 more graves were located.

The historical and archaeological details from the interception can be found on exhibit at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum at 200 Greene Street in Key West. More information on the burial site is at www.africanburialgroundathiggsbeach.org. To take a 3-D tour of the site, visit youtu.be/ gjomFl_rCAQ.

— Contributed

Do you need money to advertise and promote a cultural event in the Florida Keys?

The Florida Keys Council of the Arts helps organizations apply for funding from the Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) Cultural Umbrella to promote events that highlight the arts, culture, theater and history of the island chain.

Grants can range from $25,000 to $35,000 and the application for Cultural Umbrella funding is now available at keysarts.com.

This year’s application has changed and many applicants will be able to apply for $25,000, $30,000 or $35,000.

Cultural events taking place between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024 are eligible to apply for this round of TDC funding.

The arts council offers free online workshops to help organizations navigate the TDC’s grant application process and understand its media /marketing procedures.

Organizations intending to apply for Cultural Umbrella funding are strongly encouraged to attend one of the free workshops offered via Zoom by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts.

Past recipients of Cultural Umbrella funding include the Harry S. Truman Little White House, South Florida Symphony, The Studios of

Key West, Key West Literary Seminar, Red Barn Theatre, Waterfront Playhouse, Marathon Community Theatre, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and the Morada Way Arts & Culture District.

Register in advance for one of the online workshops by contacting the Arts Council office at 305-295-4369 or director@keysarts. com. Please make sure someone from your organization attends the workshop.

The workshops will be held online at the following times:

• Tuesday, April 11 at 4 p.m.

• Wednesday, April 12 at 10 a.m. (For Zoom links, visit keysarts.com.)

The TDC’s application deadline is Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 5 p.m. Applications will be reviewed by the Cultural Umbrella committee on May 23, and their recommendations for funding will be forwarded to the TDC and BOCC for final approval.

The arts council will also offer an application review of the Arts Council’s “Art Builds Community” grant program, which awards funding of $5,000, $7,500 and $10,000 for projects occurring in the 20232024 season.

More information is available at 305-295-4369 or www.keysarts. com.

— Contributed