Bravo Greater Des Moines Announces Record Capital Grant Awards

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Bravo Greater Des Moines awarded Capital Campaign and Project Grants totaling more than $539,600 to 11 central Iowa arts, culture and heritage organizations. This is the largest amount of capital investments that Bravo has made in a single grant cycle and also includes the three largest individual awards Bravo has ever made in a capital cycle. The Des Moines Community Playhouse, the Des Moines Metro Opera and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden all received six-figure investments from Bravo during this cycle.

“This is always an extremely competitive cycle for Bravo, with requests this year totaling nearly $1.6 million to support total applicant project costs of more than $17.8 million,” said Sally Dix, executive director of Bravo Greater Des Moines. “There is a clear need for capital investments to strengthen the regional cultural landscape for the future and Bravo is proud to be a part of making these projects a success.”

2017 Capital Campaign & Project Grant Recipients:

Ankeny Art Center: $7,000

General facility improvements that include the replacement of two furnaces, a damaged handi-accessible door and new carpet for classrooms.

Des Moines Community Playhouse: $155,000

Act Two Capital Campaign which will increase ADA accessibility, upgrade production equipment and renovate performance and classroom spaces.

Des Moines Metro Opera: $125,000

Words & Music at the Carnegie Library Capital Campaign, which will expand the existing facility, while preserving its historic significance, to include more educational, rehearsal and community engagement spaces.

Des Moines Performing Arts: $35,000

Renovations to the Civic Center block on 3^rd street between Locust and Walnut. Plans include the continuation of the red carpet from Cowles Commons and updated signage.

Des Moines Social Club: $15,000

Improvements to its most popular performance spaces, including the Kum & Go Theater and Prairie Meadows Courtyard. Improvements will enhance the lighting, sound quality and structural readiness of the spaces.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: $100,000

Full replacement of the HVAC and boiler systems that service the geodesic dome, greenhouse and flat roof buildings.

Hoyt Sherman Place: $67,600

Mechanical upgrades to the facility that include replacement of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Iowa Jewish Historical Society: $10,000

Upgrade of its collection storage area to include compact/moveable shelving and cabinets that better preserve artifacts.

Iowa Stage Theatre Company: $5,000

Build-out of new administrative and rehearsal space, including plumbing and electrical work.

Polk County Conservation Board: $10,000

Locally-commissioned public art pieces both inside the new Jester Park facility and along its Art Nature Trail.

Tallgrass Theatre Company: $10,000

Replacement of production equipment including lighting, sound and projection devices.

As a regional collaboration of 17 partner local governments including Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Polk County, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights, Bravo Greater Des Moines provides sustainable funding and support to arts, culture and heritage organizations. Central Iowa’s cultural organizations are a driving factor in the success of the region’s livability and economic development which supports business attraction and retention. The Capital Campaign and Project Grant cycle is one of three Bravo funding cycles each year.