New projects seek Naperville cultural funding
Eleven new projects are among roughly 80 applicants seeking a share of $2,040,000 in Special Events and Cultural Amenities money from the city of Naperville.
These initiatives aim to do things like bring to life a fairy tale written by a young woman who communicates through a computer, improve an event that connects people to volunteer opportunities, and support the growth of a parent resource program.
The projects will be discussed at 9 a.m. Saturday in the municipal center during a meeting of the advisory cultural commission, which so far has recommended funding be given to seven of them.
Applicants such as Deb Newman of the nonprofit Artful IMPACT say they plan to make the case for their projects' cultural value.
Newman's organization is seeking $22,800 for Project Once Upon a Time, which will help young performers, many with special needs, create a three-part fairy tale film series this summer, highlighted by a tale written by a College of DuPage student who uses a computer to speak.
Between 20 and 30 actors would be chosen to work with student mentors from Naperville-area high schools to act out the young writer's fairy tale and two other familiar stories, Newman said.
"It's important for kids to have the experience in producing this and for us to be able to show the films to the community," Newman said. "One of the things that's the most moving is to actually see what the arts do and challenge people's preconceptions about what folks with special needs are capable of."
The advisory cultural commission so far has recommended the project receive $5,000, but Newman said she plans to ask for more because of the support required to help actors with special needs.
Marion Ruthig, founder and executive director of I Support Community, has the commission's support of her request for $1,372 to improve an event called Cause-A-Palooza. The festival last year offered charity trivia, kids activities and opportunities for people to learn about nonprofits.
Ruthig said she charged adults $20 and children $5 last year. She'd like to lower prices to increase attendance so charities such as World Relief and Naperville CARES can be introduced to more people.
"We wanted to be able to grow the event and decrease the ticket price so we can be affordable for everyone who wants to come," Ruthig said.
IdaLynn Wenhold, executive director of the nonprofit KidsMatter, said the growth of the parenting resource ParentsMatterToo calls for increased fundraising, which is why she is seeking $12,492 in SECA money to support an event called Ignite the Night.
This year will be the fourth for Ignite the Night and the first time it is seeking funding. Wenhold said additional profit will support ParentsMatterToo, which offers parent support groups and 85 expert videos answering parent questions about heroin, drugs, alcohol, pornography, cyberbullying, depression and self-harm.
Specifically, KidsMatter is improving the resources page of its website and expanding parent support groups to six-week programs.
"This year we are being more intentional in that we do have a need for greater funding, particularly in support of our ParentsMatterToo initiative," Wenhold said. "Any support from the city will enable us to have a profit to put toward that program."