Page 1

Noyes Foundation Grant Application

2021 Grant Application

Organizational Profile

Date of application: August 10, 2021

Organization Name: Partnerships for Lawrence Inc. dba Arts for Lawrence

Year founded: 2006

Employer Identification Number: 20-2486798

Street address/city/state/zip: 8920 Otis Ave Indianapolis, In 46216

Executive Director: Judy Byron Phone: (317) 875-1900 Email: judybyron@artsforlawrence.org

Development Director: Victoria Musser Phone: (317) 875-1900

Email: victoriamusser@artsforlawrence.org

Please indicate the primary contact for this grant application: Victoria Musser

Website: www.artsforlawrence.org

Describe the mission of your organization: Arts for Lawrence connects arts and community to inspire
everyone every day.

History: Founded in 2006, Partnerships for Lawrence rebranded as Arts for Lawrence (AFL) in 2016.
In June 2011, AFL opened the Lawrence Art Center offering an array of art classes, free art
exhibitions, and summer art camp, and soon hired its first Director, Judy Byron. In October 2015, AFL
moved to the historic theater at Fort Benjamin Harrison, with its first production in December 2015,
ending the theater’s 30-year period without public programming. AFL's vision is a vibrant arts and
cultural destination at Fort Benjamin Harrison, serving the diverse community of Lawrence, IN, and its
visitors. In 2018, Arts for Lawrence in partnership with the City of Lawrence was awarded $5.85mm
through the Lilly Endowment’s Strengthening Indianapolis through Arts and Cultural Innovation
initiative to support the Fort Ben Cultural Campus. In 2019 Arts for Lawrence completed the
renovations to Theater at the Fort, and in June of 2021, the Fort Ben Cultural Campus officially
opened to the community.

Number of full-time employees: 2020: 5 2019: 4

Number of people served: 2020: 2,889 2019: 11,000

Signature and Title of responsible Officer of your organization: _____________________________

 Page 2
Noyes Foundation Grant Application

PLEASE LIMIT YOUR RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS BELOW TO A MAXIMUM OF 5 PAGES

(MINIMUM FONT 12)

1. What is the purpose of this grant proposal, and what dollar amount is requested?

Arts for Lawrence (AFL) has witnessed another year of incredible growth. AFL reopened from the
pandemic and construction closures in June of 2021 with the Fort Ben Cultural Campus Grand
Opening weekend. The weekend opened with an old favorite, Fridays at the Fort concert series, an
inaugural festival Juneteenth Jubilee, and another new series Classical Sundays at the Fort. The
three-day weekend events were free to the community, celebrated over 100 artists in performing,
visual, and literary arts, and reached over 1,300 community members. Although construction at the
Fort Ben Cultural Campus still has a few projects to complete, like the amphitheater structure and
some creative seating areas, the Visual Arts Center is finished. It will open officially in October of
2021. The Musical Swings, an interactive art installation by design group Daily Tous Les Jours, have
brought over 4,000 people to the campus in its first month open.

Now that the Fort Ben Cultural Campus is open to the public, AFL has hosted its first pride event,
"Queens at the Fort," celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in Lawrence. Because of the success of
this program, AFL will schedule this program quarterly. During the pandemic, AFL partnered with the
musicians from Indianapolis's very own symphony orchestra to offer the furloughed musicians an
audience and raise donations to support them through a trying time. Both parties, wanting a more
permanent partnership, agreed on a pilot program of Classical Sundays at the Fort program of 6 free
concerts. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will also bring one of the Teddy Bear series, a free
interactive children's concert, to the Lawrence community. The 2021-22 theater season hosts nine
new partners and 25 total productions in drama, musical drama, dance, music, and youth
productions. AFL continues to provide the quality artistic programming our community has come to
know and love, such as our Summer Art Camp (in its 9th year), Fridays at the Fort (in its sixth year),
and Poets Laureate of Lawrence, a free monthly poetry reading (in its 10th year). It is evident by the
growing demand that the community acknowledges the need for AFL's arts programs and appreciates
the vision for the community.

For many years AFL planned and prepared to execute the vision of the Fort Ben Cultural Campus.
Closures for construction and then the pandemic have set obstacles in the organization's progress.
AFL staff members and the board of directors work hard to address marketing needs and ensure
everyone in our community knows about the arts programs and community events. Staff and board
members work toward financial sustainability by fundraising and growing programs throughout the
additional spaces at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus, all while adapting to the continued challenges of
COVID-19.

Arts for Lawrence dedicates strategic planning and implementation time to guide actions toward
increased programming. As written in the goals of the latest Strategic plan dated April 2020, the
organization has increased staff members from 4 FTE to 6 FTE employees and added two part-time
interns. Despite the challenges from the pandemic, the organization ended 2020 with only a $6,000
deficit and increased the 2021 budget to $442,270 to support the growth in programming. With the
uncertainty of reopening after the pandemic, Arts for Lawrence requests $10,000 in operating support
from the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc. to help sustain the organization's growth
and create an inspiring future with the Fort Ben Cultural Campus.
 Page 3
Noyes Foundation Grant Application

2. What is the current impact of your program, what needs would be met with this request and how
would your impact increase?

Art is a transformational force that unfolds complex ideas, enriches lives, joins communities, and
heals the world. AFL fosters arts programming to reach underserved audiences, improve the local
economy, and provide a sense of place for our diverse community members. 14.9% of Lawrence
residents live below the poverty line, meaning cost is a significant barrier to the arts for Lawrence
residents. Struggling to pay for necessities can make art seem like an unobtainable luxury regardless
of the immense benefits it offers. Everyone deserves the power of art so that Lawrence can be a
vibrant place to live, work, and play. Arts for Lawrence breaks barriers to accessing the arts, such as
income, racial and cultural differences, physical and mental disabilities, gender, and sexual
orientation. AFL also supports economic development by adding cultural tourism dollars into our local
economy and supporting local artists through financial partnerships. Americans for the Arts' Economic
Prosperity Study states that 31.8% of all art event attendees are non-local. Each attendee spends an
additional $31.47 beyond the cost of admission on dining, lodging, transportation, childcare, and
shopping. Arts for Lawrence is the largest arts organization in Lawrence and the northeast quadrant
of Indianapolis. It offers a diverse blend of free and low-cost, quality art programs, theatrical
performances, visual art classes, festivals, concerts, summer art camp, free films, and a public art
gallery. Using the Americans for the Arts Economic impact calculator, AFL has generated over
$750,000 in the local economy and is estimated to generate $1.2mm in 2021.

Arts for Lawrence appreciates the continued support from donors and foundations to create the
inspiring and affordable art programs it offers the community. In the last year, AFL has added four
new team members, grown our social media reach, launched a new and improved website, added
dozens of new program partners, 198 new donors, and opened all the new venue spaces at the Fort
Ben Cultural Campus. A grant from the Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Memorial Foundation would support the
AFL 2022 operational budget to help sustain the organization's rapid growth and meet the increasing
demand from the community for low-cost, high-quality art programming.

3. List timeframe of your proposal:

● Fort Ben Cultural Campus grand opening- June 18, 19, & 20, 2021
● Visual Art Center Opens- October 15
● Fiscal Year Begins- January 1, 2022
● FREE Urban Line Dancing Class- Tuesday Evenings in 2022
● FREE Films at the Fort- One Saturday a Month in 2022
● Queens at the Fort (Drag Show)- January 7
● Coping with Autumn (Play)- January 14 - 22, 2022
● Crossroads Dance Concert- January 27 - 30, 2022
● J. Eyre: The Musical- February 11 - 20, 2022
● Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat- March 4 - 13, 2022
● Indiana Night Live (Comedy)- April 1 and 2, 2022
● Meraki Dance- April 14 - 16, 2022
● Scary Mary (Play)- April 20 - 24, 2022
● Love/Sick (Play)- May 13 - 21, 2022
● Dance Kaleidoscope- June 3 - 5, 2022
● AMP Dance- June 11 - 12, 2022
 Page 4
Noyes Foundation Grant Application

● Juneteenth Jubilee- June 18, 2022

● PRIDE Event (TBD)- June 25, 2022
● Summer Arts Camp- June 13 - July 15, 2022
● Fridays at the Fort Concert Series- June - August 2022
● Classical Sundays at the Fort Concert Series- June - August 2022
● Shakespeare at the Fort: A Midsummer Night’s Dream- July 22 - 31, 2022
● Harrison: Chasing the Goat (World Premiere)- August 12 - 21, 2022
● Children’s Theater Festival- August 27, 2022
● Fiesta Latina de Lawrence- September 10, 2022
● Taste (Play)- September 23 - October 1, 2022
● Scary Stories (Play)- October 12 - 16, 2021
● BardFest (Two Plays)- October 21 - November 13, 2022
● 12 Plays of Christmas and Other Holidays- December 2 - 10, 2022
● The Nutcracker- December 16 - 18, 2022
● Fiscal Year Ends- December 31, 2022

4. What are the expected outcomes, and how will they be measured?

The Fort Ben Cultural Campus, especially the Musical Swings, continues to gain notoriety in
Lawrence and the greater Indianapolis area, as evident by a sharp increase in media attention. AFL
will use this notoriety to grow awareness for the organization, attract new donors, volunteers, and
program attendees. The new AFL Communications Director, hired in October 2020, has developed a
marketing plan. The execution of the marketing plan will increase audiences, encourage
volunteerism, and improve fundraising efforts.

In 2022, AFL anticipates another transformative theater and festival season with the addition of the
Visual Arts Center and its programs. In addition to our established online art gallery, local artists are
invited to submit work for a monthly gallery exhibition. Gallery shows are juried for quality assurance
and offer opportunities for the community, emerging artists, and students advancing AFL's
commitment to diversity, inclusion, access, and equity. A volunteer advisory committee, the resident
artists, and AFL staff will oversee open hours for the gallery. Visual Arts classes are scheduled to
begin in January 2022, with the popular offerings of ceramics using pottery wheels, digital art with
iPads and iPencils, and wine and paint classes. Arts for Lawrence advances our commitment to
diversity, inclusion, and accessibility by creating opportunities for professional artists, emerging
novices, and our community.

Arts for Lawrence seeks feedback from audiences, students, and attendees in post-program surveys.
Various questions ask responders to rate their overall experience, share how Arts for Lawrence can
improve their experience, and the likelihood of returning to or recommending AFL programs, events,
or classes to others. Additionally, AFL asks for voluntary demographic information to be sure that our
programming is reaching our community's diversity.

5. What are your plans for long-term funding of this project? Include your plan for
financial sustainability.

AFL's fund development plan includes income goals from three sources - foundation/government
grants, individual and corporate donors, and earned revenue from mission-based programming. With
 Page 5
Noyes Foundation Grant Application

the recent addition of staff members and the Fort Ben Cultural Campus development, AFL is carefully
following our strategic plan to build resources to reach these income goals and develop meaningful
relationships with donors and volunteers. The addition of a fundraising officer hired in April of 2019
and a fundraising intern hired in Jan of 2021 will increase our individual and corporate donations. The
growth of the Board of Directors in 2018 from 7 members to 9 members has put additional financial
resources in place and fostered new relationships within the community. In September 2021, AFL will
launch a campaign to increase the board of directors to 19 quality members from diverse
backgrounds. The continued strength of the partnership with the City of Lawrence, offering two-venue
leases at $1 per year each, strengthens our financial sustainability and has been instrumental in
allowing AFL to weather the pandemic. 2021 brings AFL's new program director's first programming
season. The reopening of the theater and a new outdoor space, along with new partnerships and
strengthened historic partnerships, provide an excellent summer-fall season of high-quality
performances and bringing back AFL's ability to build earned income.

6. What impact has COVID-19 had on your organization, programs, overall health, and sustainability,
and what changes have been made as a result?

This year, similarly to 2020, has brought many new and unique challenges for Arts for Lawrence.
AFL's programming continues to look very different from the standard theater season and event
schedule due to COVID-19. From January till June of this year, AFL hosted virtual or small group
programs(less than 15 people), and in June, began large-scale outdoor programing. AFL remains
hopeful yet cautious about the future of arts programming in a COVID landscape. Starting August 8,
AFL reinstated a mandatory mask policy, regardless of vaccination status, to ensure not only the
safety of our artists and patrons but the future of the arts industry. COVID-19 continues to have a
significant impact on Arts for Lawrence and many arts organizations, businesses, and individuals
have had a difficult 16 months. AFL had a significant financial impact due to the loss of programming
revenue due to pandemic-related closures, an estimated $80,000 in 2020 and an anticipated $50,000
in 2021.

Financial Information

● Specific amount requested: $10,000

● Annual budget: $442,270

● Request is 2.26% of your annual organization budget

● List other sources of funding applicable to the proposal. List each source and amount
requested. Indicate if the status of the funding is pending, committed, or received and for what
year:

Source: The Glick Fund Amount: $35,000 Status: Received Year: 2021

Source: Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Amount: $20,000 Status: Received Year:
2021
Source: Lilly Endowment Inc. Amount: $36,500 Status: Received Year: 2021
 Page 6
Noyes Foundation Grant Application

● Percentage of Board Members who contribute financially to your organization 100%

Total Board Contributions: YTD-$9,747.18

● Number of full Board meetings last year: 11

Average % of Board members in attendance at those meetings 80%

● List the organization's top three salaries, including benefits.

Position: Executive Director Salary: $75,000 Benefits: None

Position: Director of Operations Salary: $38,000 Benefits: None

Position: Director of Donor Relationship Salary: $36,000 Benefits: None

● Does your organization have an endowment? No

What is its worth? N/A

● List amount and nature of all outstanding debt as of application date: None

Attach current organizational budget & actual budget from last year

Board Approved
Fiscal Year Dates: Year-End Actuals Current Fiscal Year
Budget

to

Dates: 1/1/20 to Dates: 1/1/20 to Dates: 1/1/21 to

EXPENSES
12/31/20 12/31/20 12/31/21

Exhibition/Production Expenses $ $
$ 108,350
65,000 51,626
$ $
Artistic personnel $ 24,850
16,750 4,900
$ $
Technical personnel $ 46,000
6,000 32,682
$ $
Exhibition/production costs $ 35,500
41,500 13,883

Concessions $ 750 $ 161 $ 2,000

$
Renovations/repairs $ - $ 2,000
25,616

Marketing/PR Expenses $ 26,725 $

$ 53,100
19,931
 Page 7
Noyes Foundation Grant Application

$ 26,725 $
Marketing/PR personnel $ 53,100
19,931

Operational Expenses $ $
$ 55,690
47,351 35,745

Space rental/mortgage $ 1 $ 101 $ 2

$
Utilities & maintenance $ - $ -
3,000

Equipment/furniture $ - $ - $ -

$ $
Telephone/fax/internet/computer $ 3,500
2,400 2,784
$ $
Contracted services $ 44,350
38,000 23,473
$ $
Other $ 7,838
3,950 9,387

General/Administrative Expenses $ 263,525 $ 198,541 $ 223,130

$ $
Executive Director/CEO $ 75,000
75,000 75,577
$ $
Development personnel $ 41,600
43,000 44,066
$ $
Administrative staff $ 41,600
80,000 36,769
$ $
Development/fundraising $ 12,500
17,300 6,659

Travel/transportation $ - $ - $ -

$ $
Postage/mailing house $ 1,800
2,500 2,407
$ $
Office supplies/materials $ 5,000
4,000 4,184
$ $
Professional development $ 5,000
3,000 2,407
$ $
Insurance $ 5,630
4,225 4,391

Evaluation $ - $ - $ -

$ $
Audit $ 7,000
8,500 5,500
$ $
Payroll expenses & Bonuses $ 28,000
26,000 16,581

Total Cash Expenses $ - $ -

Total In-Kind Goods/Services $ - $ -

 Page 8
Noyes Foundation Grant Application

$ $
Depreciation
9,424 18,901
TOTAL EXPENSES $ 402,601 $ 331,458 $ 442,270

Current list of board of trustees and their occupation

● Emily Leiserson (President): Research Assistant
● Kimberly DalSanto (Secretary): Attorney
● Mary E Ginther-Oss (Treasurer): Retired
● Brian Norris: Project Manager
● Derris Owens: Financial Specialist
● Aaron Short: Financial Advisor
● Stevi Stoesz Kersh: Self-Employed
● Dani Carter Iddins: Self-Employed
● AJ. Gaither: Financial Advisor