From
Amy Sprinkles
Title
Authorize the City Manager to enter into a grant application and accept if awarded with Texas Commission on the Arts for Library programming to include: $650 for marionettes; $525 for a musical performer; $125 for Weather Wonders with Meteorologist Maggie; and ratify $375 for A Day in Africa led by Elizabeth Kahura
Presenter
Amy Sprinkles, Library/Marketing Director
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Texas Commission on the Arts offers partial grants for programming and education in libraries, for which the Grand Prairie Library System would like to apply or have City Council ratify application for and accept if awarded.
Current Applications:
Le Theatre de Marionette
Le Theatre de Marionette brings puppetry to life for children of all ages with “Silly Strings,” a variety act featuring a balloon blowing clown who's light on his feet, a juggling bear on a flying trapeze, a roller skating prankster, a serenading wolfman, Elvis, Michael Jackson and a dancing Skeleton. With a literacy connection to Fantastic Theatre, by Judy Sierra, children will have an opportunity to see the craftsmanship of this art as well as be entertained with the interactive puppeteers by engaging in Q&A on and off stage.
Price for 3 performances in one day: $1300
Texas Commission on the Arts request reimbursement: $650
Joe McDermott
Joe McDermott, the maestro of imagination, is an award winning family musician with interactive and engaging performances for children of all ages! As a former Early Childhood educator, Mr. McDermott understands how children learn through music and combines storytelling, rhythm and movement. According to the Texas Commission on the Arts, Joe McDermott has been described as a “Texas treasure” by the Texas Library Association.
Price for 3 performances in one day plus travel to and from Austin: $1050
Texas Commission on the Arts request reimbursement: $525
Weather Wonders with Meteorologist Maggie
Steam, water, snow and ice. Water is the only natural substance that can take on this many forms - naturally! Meteorologist Maggie will perform magic that will demonstrate various weather phenomena. A magical snowman will also be made and a picture of a snowman will come to life and talk to us, too! (Based on the story Frosty the Snowman). A water tornado will demonstrate a real tornado. Finally, Chilly the Penguin (a puppet) will help teach kids about the place on Earth with the coldest weather - Antarctica!
Price for the performance: $250
Texas Commission on the Arts request reimbursement: $125
Grant to Ratify:
A Day in Africa led by Elizabeth Kahura:
Elizabeth Kahura is a native of Kenya, Africa. Living in the United States since 1995, she has shared the African beat with audiences of all ages through the African Safari program. A teacher by profession, Elizabeth educates while at the same time entertaining audiences through storytelling, puppetry, music, language arts, and hands on art projects. Libraries enjoy her inspirational countenance, her displays of African artifacts, and her ability to build a bridge of understanding by demonstrating the similarities between cultures and traditions of Africa and her current home in the United States. The library had applied and received this grant before we knew all grant applications had to be approved by City Council first.
Price for the performance: $375
Texas Commission on the Arts request reimbursement: $188
Financial Consideration
The proposed FY 2016/2017 General Fund budget ( 321310-61130) has the funding of $1,488 for the city’s portion of this expenditure. This amount will be transferred to Grant Fund (3005) and accounted for with the grant proceeds upon award of the grant by the granting agency.