Town of Normal rewards arts in the community with 2024 Harmon Arts Grant Awards

Image Courtesy of the Town of Normal

NORMAL, Ill. – The Town of Normal has been receiving submissions for arts-related projects, programs and events to be funded through the 2024 Harmon Arts Grant Program.

The Harmon Arts Grant Program was named in honor of former Mayor Paul Harmon. It was created in 1993 to promote the arts in the community. The maximum grant that can be awarded to participants is $5,000.

The Town of Normal has a list of primary and secondary funding priorities.

“We set priorities effectively around the goal of promoting arts in the community,” said Normal’s Town Administrative Analyst Jacob Smith.

Programs located in the Town of Normal, nonprofit programs and programs recognized for their work are a few examples of primary funding priorities. The committee can help fund programs that make events more accessible to the public.

Secondary funding priorities include requesting capital and programs that serve a small number of individuals.

“The review committee is made up of Town of Normal staff, the current Mayor as well as former Mayor Harmon,” said Smith.

The committee has a pool of $50,000 to distribute to programs. Last year, the town received roughly $120,000 worth of requests.

In 2023, Normal awarded 22 grants ranging from $900 to $3,500 to various programs.

“The goal is to support nonprofit and community programs to help keep art well-funded,” Smith said.

Illinois State University music programs and independent community programs have previously applied for the grant. Heartland Community College and other local school districts are also on the list of those that have submitted.

The application is digital and requests the history of the organization or the event noted. Details like dollar amounts and plans are encouraged. The application closes on April 26.

“Awards will hopefully be rewarded in the beginning of May for summer programs,” said Smith.

The remaining recipients will be presented in June.