SPARK Grants: What are They & What Got Funded in 2014

[Metro Jacksonville]

SPARK Grants: What are They & What Got Funded in 2014



The Spark District is a Cultural Council initiative focused on growing the economic vitality of downtown Jacksonville through unique arts and cultural experiences. The inaugural Spark Grant Program funded four projects through privately- raised dollars in 2013, and the second wave of Spark Grantees is underway.  Join us for details after the jump!

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-sep-spark-grants-what-are-they-what-got-funded-in-2014

[johnnyliar]

Oh, don't get me wrong-- I am all for musicians getting paid (I am probably one of the only people i know who still pays for music instead of stealing it off the internet). But to me, you get paid by customers/ticket holders and venues, not someone giving you a "grant" to do what you are already doing.  It's like, "hey, i want to be a musician, but i am just not successful enough and won't get a 9-5 to subsidize my dream, so someone just give me money." I could be wrong, just my impression is all.

This is a silly statement. Because you have acknowledged that you are one of the only people you know who pays for music, you understand that there is a need for something like the Jacksonville Songwriters Residency.
Also, the idea is that, not only is the artist "mooching" and getting money from Jacksonvillians, but we are also "mooching" from the Artist-in-Residence a meaningful and unique cultural exchange from a musician that otherwise, may have never set foot in Jacksonville. This is not a unique program either. Artist-in-residence programs exist all over the world, and have for quite some time.

[sheclown]

paying artists will promote art -- 

I'd rather see artists creating beauty than flipping burgers

[jaxlore]

paying artists will promote art -- 

I'd rather see artists creating beauty than flipping burgers

Exactly the US is horrible when it comes to supporting the arts. Yet we continually talk about how artist spark urban renewal.