WEST VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL APPLICATION GRIC 2017.PDF

Last updated: 01/17/2017
Page 1
General information
Organization West Valley Arts Council
Contact First name Bernadette
Contact Last name Mills
Contact e-mail bmills@westvalleyarts.org
Contact phone number 623-935-6384
Address
Street 16126 N.Civic Center Plaza Suite 102
City Surprise
State AZ
ZIP Code 85374
From what tribe is the organization requesting the grant?
Gila River Indian Community
Total grant amount request
10,000.00
The Gila River Indian Community offers multi-year awards. If your organization is
requesting a multi-year grant for this project or program from the Gila River
Indian Community, enter the amount to be requested each year.
Amount
Year 1 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only)
1 of 2

Year 2 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only)
Year 3 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only)
Year 4 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only)
Year 5 (Gila River Indian Community Grants Only)
2 of 2


Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Cover Sheet
Municipality Information
1. Date of Application: 2/17/2017 (NOTE: Click or use up/down arrow keys to move among
fields)
2. Name of City, Town or County: Maricopa County
3. Mayor (City or Town) or Board of Supervisor’s Chairman (County): Denny Barney, Chairman
4. Mailing Address: 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor
5. City: Phoenix State: Arizona Zip Code: 85003
6. Acknowledgement of Submission by Authorized Municipality Representative:
Typed Name/Title: Melody Henderson, Administrative Coordinator Signature:
Applicant Information
7. Department/Organization Name: West Valley Arts Council
8. Is this a 501c non-profit Organization? No Yes If yes, attach IRS Determination Letter
9. Application Contact Person: Berandette Mills Title: Executive Director
10. Phone Number: 623.935.6384
11. Mailing Address: 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza Suite 102
12. City: Surprise State: Arizona Zip Code: 85374
13. Email Address: bmills@westvalleyarts.org Website Address: www.westvalleyarts.org
Project Information
14. Project Name: Gallery 37
15. Purpose of Grant: Support for direct expenses related to a 17 year-old educational summer youth
program.
16. Priority Funding Area Education
17. Annual amount requested $10,000.00
18. Number of years that funding is 1
requested
19. Total amount requested (annual $10,000.00
amount x number of years)
20. Has your organization received past No
funding from GRIC? If yes, list each year
and amount
The 13 cities and towns known collectively as the West
21. Geographic area served
Valley.
For Office Use Only:
Data Entry Receipt Evaluation
Outcome  Approval Recommended/Amount $  Denial

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Narrative
Please structure your proposal to provide the following information in the order indicated. Provide the narrative
in paragraph form in the text field provided. Please be thorough but strive for brevity.
1. Briefly describe the organization’s history, mission and goals.
The West Valley Arts Council (WVAC) was founded in 1969 with the mission of enriching the West Valley by growing a
vibrant and connected arts and cultural community. The WVAC’s purpose is to present quality, affordable, accessible, and
culturally diverse artistic programming for residents of all ages. The WVAC also serves as an important promotion resource
for other arts organizations, community events, and artists. We maintain strong partnerships with governmental, educational,
corporate entities, and with other cultural organizations throughout the West Valley - and frequently curate public art exhibits
on their behalf. It’s not unusual for people living in other parts of the greater Phoenix region to participate in our programming.
It is through our commitment to Arts Education and its broad applications in greater achievement for our youth that we have
achieved some of our most important inroads in accomplishing our overall mission.
Our goals are to: *provide proactive leadership and advocacy that expands opportunities for individual artists, and for
residents to experience the arts; *promote the use of arts to build understanding among the region’s diverse cultures; *work
with schools and school districts to foster education through the arts and supporting efforts to implement the arts as part
of the core curriculum for all students; *demonstrate that vibrant arts opportunities throughout the West Valley support
economic development and contributes to the quality of life for all residents; *seek and cultivate local and state-wide
partnerships that help build, sustain, and increase the visibility of the arts in the West Valley.
2. If the applying organization is non-municipal or a non-profit 501c, please describe your relationship with
Arizona municipalities including past and present support, whether it be through partnerships,
collaborations, in-kind contributions, grants, tax-based funding or other. Describe the supporting
municipality’s role in this project. If the applying organization is a municipality governmental sub-
division please enter the text “Not applicable.”
The West Valley Arts Council primarily serves each of the 13 cities that comprise the region of Maricopa
County known as the West Valley and thus is working with Maricopa County in relationship to this funding
request. We have been delivering services directly to the residents of Buckeye, Avondale, Tolleson, Litchfield
Park, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, El Mirage, Wickenburg, Sun City, Sun City West, and Sun City Grand for the
past 48 years. The WVAC’s scope of work also includes Luke Air Force Base. Annually over 100,000
residents, adults and youth, participate in our programming, 8,000 or more of them students in elementary and
high schools. We have partnered with most of these cities to install permanent public art; produce music
festivals that draw 5,000 or more people from throughout the region; provide arts-in-education programs to
school districts and teachers; extensively promoted individual artists and the events at other arts and cultural
entities, and much more. Our Arts Education Partnership program has been recognized nationally by
Americans for the Arts for its unique approach to improving and strengthening arts education in West Valley
schools. The subject of this proposal, Gallery 37, won the 2015 Governor’s Arts Award in recognition of its
community impact; and, five times the WVAC has received The Best of the West award presented annually by

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
WESTMARC, a broad-based coalition of business, government and education entities which serves the
communities in the West Valley. Each municipality in which public art is created by Gallery 37 participants,
typically provides $10,000 or more toward the project and commits to closely working with the student
apprentices and master artist.
3. Describe the proposed project and planned goals and activities.
Gallery 37 is an unduplicated summer youth program in which up to 20 teens are selected as “apprentices” to work
with a master artist and create quality permanent public art. High school students are chosen to work with a master artist
and representatives from a local municipality or community to design and complete the art work. The student apprentices
who participate in Gallery 37 are artists in their own right and represent the vast cultural diversity of the West Valley. While
not all of the participants are from lower income families, our long-standing partnerships with area organizations serving
youth helps recruit students from lower socio-economic households.
Enhancing the impact of Gallery 37 is our long-time partnership with Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC),
which has been providing the classroom space, state-of-the-art technology, career counselors, and college credit for the
participating students – all at no cost to the WVAC or the students. Now, heading into its 17th year, the program has
completed public art projects in Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Peoria, Marley Park, the Palm Valley Waste Water
Treatment Plant, the Tri-City Boys and Girls Club, Tolleson, and elsewhere.
This coming summer the Gallery 37 project will be on behalf of the City of Peoria. Peoria also sponsored the 2016
program for which the students created two large murals for the City’s new “Happy Valley Road and 92nd Avenue
Project,” where an average of 24,000 vehicles pass through daily. The City and residents were so pleased with the art
work that they asked for another project again this summer.
In addition to providing the students an arts-based summer apprenticeship that results in the completion of a
piece of enduring public art, the success of Gallery 37 is measured by achieving goals that:
* inspire the participates to graduate from high school and better understand the role higher education plays in achieving
their future career goals,
* develop the self-confidence of the students, and their skills in collaborative work that achieves a common goal,
* enhance their artistic skills, and to
* broadened the students’ understanding of each other and the communities they share.
It’s also our goal to completely meet, or exceed, the desired outcomes of the partner municipality or community in
providing enduring accessible public art.
The success of Gallery 37 is measured by achieving its goals to:
It’s also our goal to completely meet, or exceed, the desired outcomes of the partner municipality or community in
providing enduring accessible public art.
4. Describe how the proposed project satisfies one or more of the priority funding areas identified by the
Gila River Indian Community.

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Gallery 37 addresses youth education through a highly visible program that enhances participants’ knowledge of the arts
and of the region’s diverse communities. They are challenged to work directly with community leaders and to learn about
the unique cultural history of that community. They are tutored by a master artist, to create art work that meets the
community’s standards. Additionally, the program promotes life-long learning, provides the opportunity to plan future
education and career paths, and encourages them to pursue a college education after high school.
Through our partnership with EMCC, the students’ educational goals are further developed. They work with career
counselors to explore future education options, courses to take to achieve their career goals, and the role higher
education has in achieving those goals. The student apprentices often reported back to us that their decision to apply to
college, whether in the arts or not, was based on their Gallery 37 experience.
Through their work with the master artist and engagement with community representatives, the student apprentices learn
to professionally interact with the public and collaboratively with each other. We see marked improvement in apprentices’
teamwork skills, work quality, ability and willingness to learn, responsibility, and task orientation.
5. Identify the needs/problems to be addressed, target population and number of people to be served by
the project.
The student apprentices engage in a unique life experience that is simply not replicated elsewhere in their education.
Some enter the program challenged by traditional classroom settings and need a more open learning environment in
which to excel; others must work to contribute financially to their families during the summer which is why modest stipends
are paid to all participants. Many come into the program with no specific plans to further their education after high school,
if they finish high school at all, which enhances the value of their time at EMCC, their work with the master artist, and the
relationships they create with community representatives. Each phase of the project requires the students to apply
themselves, learn new life-skills, and grow in self-esteem. Up to 20 students are selected each year to participate.
Gallery 37 also serves tens of thousands of residents each year by providing new and engaging public art, much of which
is interactive by providing places to gather, play, and engage in community gatherings. The program is a unique
opportunity for local cities and towns to enhance their look and appeal by illuminating the past and keeping pace with the
future. Residents have seen the art transform blighted areas in their communities, inaugurate a new firehouse and a
library, enhance public transit tributaries, and much more. Projects are still on display as installed. The longevity of Gallery
37 and the number of requests being received for new projects by prior municipal partners are testaments to the regional
impact and popularity of the program.
6. Define the project as a new or continuing program.
Gallery 37 is an annual summer youth program that will continue in each upcoming summer. We have discussed the
possibility of increasing the number of Gallery 37 projects each year, and potentially having a separate program for older
adults.
7. Provide a brief timeline including start and finish dates. Indicate if the timeline is flexible.
While much work is done year-round for Gallery 37, and increases each March and April, the project is completed in five
weeks beginning in May and finishing the end of June. The 2017 program will begin May 29th and end June 30th.
Occasionally, the time line may be extended such as the 2016 program when the City of Peoria immediately
commissioned a second mural to complement the first which required an additional 2 weeks of work by the student
apprentices and the master artist.
8. Identify other organizations, partners or funders participating in the project and their roles.

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
In addition to the roles of EMCC and partner municipalities, local schools and community organizations serving youth help
with the selection of student apprentices by promoting Gallery 37 and encouraging potential participants to apply. A
number of funders have been annual donors for several years. These include the National Endowment for the Arts,
USAA, Arizona Commission for the Arts, and The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation.
9. Would you be able to implement the proposed plan if your organization received partial funding for this
project?
Gallery 37 would be implemented this coming summer with partial funding of the amount requested. We would certainly
welcome approval of funding by the Gila River Indian Community in the amount it deems appropriate.
10. Describe your plan for project sustainability beyond the grant period. If this is a program/project
previously funded by the Gila River Indian Community describe efforts made towards the previously
described sustainability plan.
Gallery 37 is in its 17th year and continues to be a highly successful and impactful program for the youth who participate
and the residents in each city and town that have hosted projects. The program has been sustained by the quality of the
work performed by the students, the hospitality of each community, and the willingness of donors to ensure that it can
continue each summer. Each new year, as we have in the past, the WVAC will invite previous and potentially new
donors, to participate in funding the program.
11. Describe your plan to document progress and results.
Each year, the WVAC staff conducts post program surveys and interviews with students, parents, and municipal
stakeholders. All provide valuable input which is used help frame future programming and identify areas for change or
improvement. The Master Artist also completes comprehensive program and performance evaluations.
The results we aspire to are:
1. 100% of the student apprentices work together as a team and complete a challenging and creative
project. Without exception each participant has a role in the project and receives the appropriate support
to fulfill that role.
2. 95% or more of the participants report an improvement in their artistic skills, self-confidence, and their
team building skills.
3. 90% or more, of the student apprentices report that they are inspired to finish and graduate from high
school, then pursue college or other higher education paths to achieve a professional career in the arts or
another field of their choosing.
4. The host community and residents are very satisfied with the completed piece of permanent public art.
12. Indicate any application to and/or awards made by a tribe other than the Gila River Indian Community
for state shared revenues for this and any other project for the past five (5) years. If this information is
included in a separate attachment, please indicate that here.
N/A

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Project Budget
Budget Period: May 29 – June 30, 2017
For each budget item listed here please provide a narrative description on the following Project Budget Detail
page.
Proposed Budget Expense Amount Amount In Kind Total Budget
(list each budget item) requested from requested or contributions
GRIC secured from
other funders
1. Program Management – WVAC $0 $0 $11,900 $11,900
staff salaries & benefits
2. Master Artist Fee $5,000 $5,000 $0 $10,000
3. Stipends for Student $3,500 $6,500 $0 $10,000
Apprentices
4. Art Supplies,Materials $1,500 $19,050 $0 $20,550
5. Classroom, Career Counciling $0 $0 $3,000 $3,000
6. Advertising/Marketing $0 1,500 $0 $1,500
7. Postage/printing $0 $0 $875 $875
8. End of Project Reception $0 $1,500 $0 $1,500
9. Office Supplies/Phone/web site $0 $0 $375 $375
maintenance
10. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
11. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
12. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
13. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
14. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
15. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
16. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
17. Click here to enter text. $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Budget $10,000 $33,550 $16,150 $59,700

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
Project Budget Detail
Please provide a narrative description for each of the project budget items listed on the previous page. Include
the dollar figure and how it was derived.
1. Program Management – WVAC staff salaries & benefits will be covered by the organization’s own funds –
derived by the annual amount of time invested each year in the project overall.
2. Master Artist Fee - The master artist is an experienced teaching artist typically with a Master’s degree. The WVAC maintains a
relationship with several master artists most of whom have successfully taught the Gallery 37 program in the past.
3. Stipends for Student Apprentices - $500 stipends are paid to participating student apprentices, some of
whom need to secure summer work in order to pay their own living expenses.
4. Art Supplies,Materials – The arts supplies and materials are used to create the piece of public artwork and
ensure that the art will last for years to come.
5. Classroom, Career Counciling – Estrella Mountain Community College provides the classroom, technology
features, career counciling and college credits each year as an in-kind donation to Gallery 37.
6. Advertising/Marketing – A significant amount of free marketing is provided by local media outlets, word of
mouth , and our connections with local agencies serving youth and high school arts teachers, however, the
WVAC also pays for additional promotional ads each year. This helps ensure as many high school students as
possible and the region know about the unique opportunity Gallery 37 offers.
7. Postage/printing – Flyers, invitations for the reception, and other in-house Gallery 37 materials.
8. End of Project Reception – this event celebrates the successful completion of the project and honors the
student apprentices and their dedication to their work and achievements.
9. Office Supplies/Phone/web site maintenance – In-house costs related to Gallery 37 covered by the WVAC’s
own funds.
10. Click here to enter text.
11. Click here to enter text.
12. Click here to enter text.
13. Click here to enter text.
14. Click here to enter text.

Gila River Indian Community Grant Application
Grant Cycle 2017
15. Click here to enter text.
16. Click here to enter text.
17. Click here to enter text.
Other explanation: Click here to enter text.

W E S T V A L L E Y
A R T S
C O U N C I L
GALLERY 37
PAST PROJECTS
2016 Gallery 37 - “Coalescence - People of the Sun”
Murals for the City of Peoria, Arizona
Happy Valley Road and 92nd Avenue Project
(Note – the City of Peoria will also be the site of the 2017 Gallery 37 project)
1

Paseo de Arte - "Path of Art"
Eight sculptures express the City of Tolleson’s history, culture and
traditions – located in the heart of Downtown Tolleson,
Paseo de Luc.
2

Camino de Colores
Painted on flat aluminum panels, various aspects of the City of
Avondale, past and present, are represented in both abstract and
literal forms
“Recylamation”
Installed in front of the
Palm Valley Waste Water
Treatment Plant
“Participating in Gallery 37 has helped me in so many ways! Not only do I feel that I’ve become
a better and more diverse artist, but I have learned important skills that I will definitely use
when I’m tackling the real world. I hope more people get the chance to experience what I have;
plus, it’s really cool to say that I have [helped install a] public piece of art”. Nathalie Guevara 3

Proximodistal
One in a series of sandblasted, petroglyph style trail markers
placed in the City of Goodyear’s Community Park
Road to Rebirth
Mural on panels depicts the past, present and the rebirth the City of
Avondale is currently going through with its restoration of old town.
4

Buckeye Firehouse #3
Mosaic bench and pavers honoring firefighters
installed at the entrance to the Buckeye’s
newest firehouse.
“Gallery 37 has been a rewarding experience. I was able to gain skills in presentation and
speaking with clients. I feel that I am better prepared to go into a career with the skills I have
obtained from Gallery 37.” Cheyenne Romero
5

OtherThoughts from Gallery 37 Students:
“I have benefited greatly from the Gallery 37 experience because it has allowed
me a small glimpse of what it would be like to actually work in the art world.”
“I’m excited for this project because I think that society looks down on kids our
age. Programs like Gallery 37 show a different side of youth that most people
don’t know about. Also, public art is a feature that today’s world lacks. It’s an
expression of the people, environment, and culture that we live around yet
frequently fail to recognize.”
“Throughout the Gallery 37 experience my artistic abilities have grown
tremendously. During practice sketches I gained a new perspective of arts
connection to nature. I’ve learned to see things as they truly are and how to
forget the stereotypes put upon them.”
“I believe we should offer more programs similar to this to high school and
elementary students. It is such an educational program and it also gives further
experience with the workforce, and how it operates, as well as gives the student
a better idea of what they wish to pursue as a career.”
Main Street in Verrado, Buckeye, AZ
6