Arts Spotlight written on a dark blue background with unfocused orbs of light

 

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.

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

October 2024

 

Town of Milton1

Town of Milton, DE
Art in the Park
Milton
Project Support

With support from DDOA, the Milton Economic Development Committee installed three concrete footers with lighting in the town’s Mill Park. These have hosted several displays of three-dimensional art pieces over the past two years. The inaugural display in 2022 featured large-scale wood art sculptures by Lewes artist, Roy Fitzgerald. The second DDOA-supported display focused on the theme, “Welcome,” as interpreted in 12 murals, three of which were painted by students at Milton’s two elementary schools and Mariner Middle School. A third exhibit, “Gather Round,” featured faux bois chairs by Milton artist, Alan Sangree. A 2023 exhibit of holiday trees featured decorations hand made by Milton school children. The kickoff events — which featured donated refreshments from local businesses and live music — and months-long exhibits of all four displays brought large numbers of attendees to town and to the park. They also brought great pride to the community. A display celebrating the Broadkill River is currently being planned and will feature works made from natural and upcycled materials.

Residents of Milton have loved these displays and the kick-off parties that launched the exhibits and brought the community together to celebrate. They have engendered great hometown pride — most especially among the artists whose work has been displayed. The media coverage has increase the town’s profile and sharpened it’s growing reputation as an “arts town.”

The Mission of the Milton Economic Development Committee is to create a vibrant community that supports workers, businesses, and quality of life. Art in the Park was the EDC’s first project after being established. The project quickly made the committee visible and relevant; it brought new life and activity to Mill Park and increased visibility and visitors to the town.

To learn more, visit https://milton.delaware.gov/

Something Rotten

Possum Point Players
Something Rotten
Georgetown
General Operating Support

2024 marks the Possum Point Players’ 51st year of fulfilling our mission of “contributing to the cultural diversity and vitality of Sussex County, Delaware, by bringing the experience of live theatre for entertainment and education to native Delawareans, new residents and visitors alike.”

The non-profit community theater group has achieved that goal annually since April of 1973, and has earned a reputation for bringing to the stage productions that have been consistently well received by critics and the community. But Possum Point Players has achieved much more than the small group of founders envisioned when they first met in a Millsboro living room more than 30 years ago. Perhaps it is the enduring influence of so many teachers among the early Possums, but the players have always believed in the power of theater to both educate and entertain people of all ages. One testament to the success of their efforts has been receiving the 2003 Delaware Technical and Community College Arts and Humanities Award. It is presented to honor “an individual, business or organization for outstanding accomplishments in artistic or humanitarian endeavors which have positively impacted our greater community.”

Their production of “Something Rotten” with production dates of September 27, 28, 29, October 4, 5, 6 is playing to near sellout crowds for all 6 performances, where our theater seats 184 patrons per show. The production incudes a cast and crew of approximately 40 local participants.

To learn more, visit: http://www.possumpointplayers.org/

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.