The La Center City Council agreed to provide $50,000 in matching funds for a grant that would support a newly established community group in its endeavors to bring more arts to the City.
The council approved the La Center Arts’ request, 3-1, with one absent council member, at its Feb. 14 meeting.
La Center Arts is a newly formed nonprofit organization focused on supporting all art forms in the city. The local group was started by Dan Masterson, La Center’s representative for the city’s arts commission. The organization seeks to turn La Center into an arts destination to attract visitors to the community.
La Center’s Director of Administrative Services Maria Swinger-Inskeep said La Center Arts is applying for a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), an independent federal agency, which offers $10,000 to $50,000 grants for different art disciplines. The grants require an equal match to be awarded, however.
If awarded, La Center Arts would receive $100,000 to lay the groundwork for several projects in 2025, including mural wall art, sculptures and community events. The scope of these projects will depend on outside funding.
If the grant is approved by the National Endowment for the Arts, the City Council will need to once again approve distributing the match.
Councilmember Elizabeth Cerveny, who voted yes to the request, said that while she supports the arts, her future vote will depend on the city’s priorities for how funds in its reserve account should be spent.
“I think our timing is just a bit off right now, unfortunately. It’s a hefty amount when we’re looking at potholes and street issues and sidewalks that are buckling,” Cerveny said.
Councilmember KC Kasberg, who voted no to the request, said he does not approve of matching grants,
“I think it just puts too much burden on the entity that’s applying for it and [the] government agency that’s out there,” Kasberg said.
According to Swinger-Inskeep, donations from local organizations can support the match and alleviate the city’s total cost.
Swinger-Inskeep said La Center Arts will learn if the grant was approved in either late spring or early summer. The City Council will then vote on whether it wants to spend the funds, based on the total amount the city would have to match.
