Each month we feature arts and community-based organizations and their programs and projects funded by the Delaware Division of the Arts in our Arts Spotlight which will be included on our monthly e-newsletter, Arts E-News and online. If you haven’t signed up yet for Arts E-News, please do so here.

Funding for Division of the Arts grants is provided by the Delaware General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. To view past grants awarded (1999 to present), please visit our Grants Awarded page.

Grant Types: GOS – General Operating Support; PS – Project Support

 

November 2022

 

Chapel Street Players
Reckless: November 11-19, 2022
Newark
GOS

Chapel Street Player’s presents the 2nd show in its 88th season (and special note- the last season to be held at 27 N. Chapel Street as the plans to have a new theater built near White Clay Creek received final approval from the City Newark on 10/24/22). The play is a dark comedy that supports the diversity of our season which also includes a mystery, drama, and an evening of short originals. As always, Chapel Street Players is here to provide the Newark community and greater area the ability to enjoy live theater, as well as providing arts and volunteer opportunities to locals.

About Reckless: When Rachel’s husband hires a gunman to eliminate her, it propels her into a journey of self-discovery. While on the run, she learns about identity, the power of fate, the definition of family, the unpredictability of luck, and the power of the Christmas holiday to create memories. The colorful characters she meets each harbor their own secrets, and lies populate her new world. “Reckless” reminds us to never stop searching for who we are and who we’re supposed to be. Outrunning the past and embracing the future is the name of the game in this dark comedy. Author Craig Lucas is a multi-Tony nominated playwright, including for “Prelude to a Kiss.”

Chapel Street Players is a community theater arts organization that is an all volunteer 501c3. Located in the City of Newark, it has been named its Official Community Theater and for almost 90 years has presented a robust season of plays including musicals, comedies, dramas, and original works to name a few. It provides educational opportunities in producing theater through all positions (acting, directing, writing, designing, etc..) which are open to the experienced and non-experienced.

To learn more about Chapel Street Players, visit https://chapelstreetplayers.org/

Walnut Street YMCA
YMCA Essence Legacy Performing Arts
Wilmington
PS

YMCA Essence Legacy (EL) is a performing arts program that was established in April 2016. For over five years, EL has been teaching essential life skills, supporting urban communities, and promoting lifelong relationships through the arts. Members of Essence Legacy range from the ages of 7-21. They strive to empower youth, foster healthy living, and promote strong communities. We aim to Instill essential life-skills, promote lifelong relationships, and prepare students for success in the performing arts industry. Participants learn and perform one or more of the following performing art types:

• Drill/Step
• Color guard
• Majorette
• Marching Percussion
• Cheerleading
• Chorus

Our members compete in various categories through multiple marching associations. EL enjoys supporting community organizations and events through performing and volunteering! Essence Legacy Performing Arts is a resource that large amounts of youth are not exposed to. Many schools in the New Castle County area only provide a small portion of performing arts programming or activities. The inability to provide learning tools, staff support, and opportunities to perform the arts in schools, cut the interest of involvement. EL provides that extracurricular activity that most schools and/or different community centers do not. In January 2020, YMCA Essence Legacy was acknowledged for their outstanding community service in Wilmington by City Council Member Zanthia Oliver. In October of 2022, Rafael Salamanca, City Councilmen District 17 (South Bronx, NY), presented Essence Legacy with the an outstanding community service recognition for their dedication of participation to the Bronx community (Bronx Halloween Parade).

To learn more about the YMCA Essence Legacy Performing Arts, watch them perform here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9CnIMCtOcQ

Developing Artist Collaboration
Dewey Sip & Shop
Rehoboth Beach
GOS

What started 8 years ago as a small group of emerging Artists selling their Art at The Starboard, has evolved into a massive event that the entire community looks forward to. In a time where big box stores and online shopping rule, Dewey Sip & Shop reminds both Artists and Shoppers that holiday shopping can both be enjoyable and have an impact in our community. Dewey Sip & Shop has become a regional destination. The event brought in over 5000 shoppers over three days in 2021, from all over the region–Philadelphia, DC, Baltimore, and beyond. Sip & Shop has been crucial in DAC’s mission of building up the appreciation for our local Artist Community. This is event is instrumental in helping fund The Developing Artist Collaboration’s mission of providing Artists with education, resources, opportunities, and community. DAC raised around $80,000 in 2021 from sponsorships, individual donations, bar sales, merch sales, and our DIY project sales. Sip & Shop will feature over 94 Artist Vendors over 3 days in 2022 (160 total vendor opportunities,) many from our local area, but also Artists from throughout the region. Our Artists reported an average daily sales of roughly $1500 last year, with some reporting sales of over $5000. With 75 Artists Vendors in 2021, DAC estimated over $100,000 in sales. A massive impact on our Artist Community. This event also is a boon to the local hospitality industry, with shoppers flocking to refuel at our wonderful local bars and restaurants. Local businesses prepare for this weekend just as they would a weekend in the Summer.

Delaware’s premiere holiday shopping experience, is back for the 8th year! Featuring handmade Art and gifts from over 50 Artists a day, we encourage shoppers to give the gift of local Art this holiday season. This event serves as the culmination of all the hard work our Artists put in throughout the year honing their crafts, growing their brands, and elevating their Creative Careers. During a weekend that is infamous for frenzied big box stores, Dewey Sip & Shop offers a welcomed alternative where shoppers can enjoy themselves while shopping thoughtfully and supporting Artists. Sip and Shop will take place Friday, Saturday, & Sunday of Black Friday Weekend from 10-4 each day in Dewey Beach, DE at 115 McKinley St. The event features live local music, The Sip & Shop Bar serving Creative Cocktails and Local Beer by Dewey Beer Co., The Out of The Box DIY Art Bar, where shoppers can create their own one of a kind paint pours, and more fun surprises! This event is free to enter, with free parking through out Dewey. We hope to see you there!

To learn more about the Developing Artist Collaboration, visit https://developingarts.org/dewey-sip-shop-2022/

The projects above are supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes these and other Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.

The Division offers a variety of grant programs for individual artists; nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations chartered and based in Delaware; and schools and government entities that support arts activities. View a full list of Division grants on the Grants Overview page.