Peoria mayor and council have approved a record-breaking $264,000 for the fiscal year 2025 arts and culture grants.

This marks the highest dollar value designated for grants in the city's history and will support 25 local and regional organizations in delivering 40 arts and culture programs and events for the benefit of Peoria residents, according to a news release.

The grants, which are divided into five categories ranging from $500 to $20,000, support the diverse future of Peoria by investing in its creative sector.

“These grants are an investment in Peoria’s diverse future,” Marylou Stephens, Peoria director of arts, culture, and library services, said in the release. “This funding acknowledges the creative sector’s role as a vital part of the city’s long-term advancement of economic development, which is one of the City Council’s priorities. This investment in diversified cultural experiences is meaningful to the arts' proven ability to directly impact the quality of life for all residents.”

Peoria's Arts and Culture Grant Program started in 1998 with a focus on providing financial support to non-profit organizations, schools, and small businesses based in Peoria. The program promotes exceptional programs and services in visual and performing arts while enhancing art-centric activities and community events. This year's grant cycle includes new categories such as Peoria-based Arts Organizations and Emerging Entrepreneurs, reflecting the city's growing arts community.

2025 grant recipients

Arts Projects or Performances
• ABT Performing Arts Association, Inc.: Theatre for Young Audiences, $4,000
• Arizona Opera: OperaTunity Touring Program, $4,000
• Ballet Arizona: DanceAZ School Residency, $2,750
• Childsplay: In-school Performances, $4,000
• Childsplay: I Am Story School Residency, $2,750
• Drum Arizona, Inc.: Native American Hoop and Drum Workshops, $3,000
• Empowered Theater & Arts: Beauty and the Beast Production, $4,000
• Empowered Theater & Arts: The Others Production, $4,000
• Heal Her Art: Veteran’s Day Art Exhibit, $4,000
• Heartsy: Adaptive Day Program in Visual Art, $5,000
• Heartsy: Seniors Advanced Artist Series, $5,000
• Higher Octave Healing, Inc.: Memory Café, $4,000
• Higher Octave Healing, Inc.: Start with Music Program, $2,750
• ProMusica AZ Chorale & Orchestra: Women in Song Concerts, $4,000
• Rising Youth Theatre: Keysmash - A Play and Community Experience, $4,000
• Sandra Bassett Music LLC: History of Motown Classes, $3,000
• TheaterWorks: Old Man and the Old Moon Production, $4,000
• TheaterWorks: TheaterAlive, $4,000
• TheaterWorks: Beauty and the Beast Production, $2,500

Community Events
• ABT Performing Arts Association, Inc.: Premiere: A New Works Festival, $10,000
• Arizona MG Club: British Wheels on the Green, $500
• AZ Rockabilly Bash LLC: AZ Rockabilly Bash, $7,500
• Ballet Arizona: Ballet Under the Stars, $20,000
• Central Arizona Flute Ensemble: Café Music Series,$18,000
• Copper Hills Community Church: Copper Hills 4Peak Challenge, $4,000
• Drum Arizona Inc.: Drum Circle Performances, $4,950
• GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix LLC: World Down Syndrome Day, $15,000
• Sedona Arts Center: Vision + Sound (Exhibit and Performance), $15,000
• TheaterWorks: Youth Accessibility Events Program, $18,000
• Times Two Entertainment: Free Monthly Movies, $18,000
• WHAM: Veteran’s Plein Air Art Festival, $10,000
• 808 Social LLC: Multiple Cultural Events, $18,000

Peoria-Based Arts Organizations
• Drum Arizona, Inc.: Community Drum Workshops, $3,000
• One Step Beyond, Inc.: Cooking for All: A Cookbook Collaboration, $5,000
• TheaterWorks: 2024-2025 Strategic Plan, $12,750

Emerging Entrepreneurs
• 808 Social Tattoo: Digital Equipment, $2,500

Homeowner’s Association (HOA)
• Westwing Mountain HOA: Winter Fest, $2,500

The next grant funding cycle opens in February 2025. For more information about arts and cultural programming in Peoria, visit www.peoriaaz.gov/arts.