HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 27, 2025ITEM #:14
DATE:05-27-25
DEPT:CMO
SUBJECT:FY 2025/26 COMMISSION ON THE ARTS ANNUAL GRANT CONTRACTS
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The City Council authorized the Commission on the Arts (COTA) to allocate up to $252,978 in
arts agency funding for FY 2025/26. At the City Council's FY 2025/26 Budget Wrap-Up
Session, the City Council received COTA's recommendations for each arts agency totaling
$243,416. Additionally, COTA recommended reserving $9,562 of its allocation to use for fall
and spring special projects. The City Council has allocated funding in the FY 2025/26 Budget
for these grants.
Contracts were prepared for each agency receiving a COTA annual grant. These contracts
have been mailed to arts organizations and returned with signatures, and are now presented
for City Council approval. A summary of the COTA funding for each agency is attached.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the COTA Annual Grant contracts as recommended by the Commission on the
Arts.
2. Request further information from COTA prior to approving these contracts.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The City Council has allocated funding in the City Budget to fund arts activities, and the
Commission on the Arts has received applications and made awards that meet the
criteria for COTA funding. Contracts are required to define the scope of services that
will be met by each organization receiving funding. Therefore, it is the recommendation of
the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1 as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
2025-26 COTA Grant Recommendations.pdf
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2025 - 26 COTA Annual Grant Recommendations
Organization 24-25
Award
25-26
Amount
Requested
25-26 COTA
REC.
AMOUNT
ACTORS 19,300$ 25,000$ 20,200$
AIOFA 9,260$ 9,900$ 8,880$
Ames Chamber Artists 6,000$ 6,000$ 6,000$
Ames Youth Choir 15,200$ 16,400$ 14,940$
Ames Choral Society 3,950$ 4,000$ 3,980$
Ames Community Arts Council 12,900$ 14,000$ 13,200$
Ames Chapter of Des Moines Metro Opera Guild 1,450$ 1,500$ 1,500$
Ames Desi Drama Association 4,800$ 6,000$ 5,260$
Central Iowa Symphony 13,900$ 15,000$ 14,000$
Creative Artists' Studios of Ames 4,800$ 5,016$ 4,500$
Dancenter Dance Company Foundation 3,650$ 8,000$ 5,740$
Friends of Ames Strings 3,950$ 7,000$ 5,420$
Good Company 2,850$ 3,500$ 3,100$
India Cultural Association 9,600$ 12,000$ 8,000$
Iowa Youth Ballet 4,200$ 5,000$ 4,660$
KHOI 7,800$ 9,800$ 8,400$
Kids' Co'Motion -$ 3,000$ 3,000$
Octagon Center for the Arts 46,100$ 50,000$ 44,600$
Senior Variety Show 4,900$ 5,000$ 4,900$
Story Theater Company 39,516$ 49,000$ 41,136$
Town & Gown 17,730$ 18,500$ 17,600$
Worldly Goods -$ 15,000$ 4,400$
AGENCY SUBTOTAL 233,016$ 288,616$ 243,416$
SPEC. PROJ. GRANT RESERVE 7,915$ -$ 9,562$
Total 240,931$ 288,616$ 252,978$
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