From my inbox to you, courtesy of Roanoke Arts and Culture Coordinator Susan Jennings.

The City of Roanoke and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO) received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to develop a program to bring the arts (visual and performing) into several neighborhoods through a series of programs in the summer and early fall of 2013. Program locations include Kennedy Park, Eureka Park, Jackson Park, Highland Park, Washington Park, and Mill Mountain Park.  The Roanoke Arts Commission will be seeking applications from visual artists, performers, and arts organizations to include a wide diversity of artists for the program. The NEA grant proposal and program are based on the city’s Arts and Cultural Plan adopted by City Council in August 2011.

Artists, performers, and groups are encouraged to develop family friendly programs that have an educational element. All artists and groups will be paid and are required to submit an estimate of costs associated with their program or performance. Performing Arts is open to musicians, dancers, actors, and vocalists.  Visual Arts is open to visual artists in any medium. Individuals and groups interested in being selected need to complete an application and submit examples of their work, references, and/or reviews.  Application review and selection will be made by a committee appointed by the Roanoke Arts Commission.  Committee members will, in part, be comprised of experienced performers and visual art professionals.  Neighborhood representatives will assist in the assignments to the parks.  The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra will oversee contracting, payment, and delivery of services.

Applications, which are due Jan. 31, may be downloaded at the following Internet address: www.roanokeva.gov/publicart.

For further information, contact Susan Jennings, Arts and Culture Coordinator at 540-853-5652 or send an email to susan.jennings@roanokeva.gov.