St. Charles to give $95,000 for culture programs

The city of St. Charles is setting aside about $95,000 in tax revenue this year for cultural programs headed up by local nonprofits.

The funding level marks about a 13 percent increase in cultural grants from the year before. The money is distributed annually using a portion of the city's hotel/motel tax revenue.

This year, the city plans to dole out a little more than $85,000 to nine organizations. The breakdown practically mirrors last year's, although the city kicked in an additional $10,000 for a special celebration of American Indian history in May.

Like past years, the largest contribution goes to the St. Charles Heritage Center, 215 E. Main St., which is expected to receive $34,005. The second-largest grant -- $20,301 -- is earmarked for the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road.

The remaining grants are: $8,870 for Preservation Partners, $7,918 for the St. Charles Singers, $4,365 for Steel Beam Theatre, $3,345 for Fine Line Creative Arts Center, $3,000 for Union Latina St. Charles, $2,233 for Fox Valley Band, and $1,000 for the Downtown St. Charles Partnership's Fine Art Show.

The grants are based on spending proposals from eligible organizations. The city's cultural commission reviews applications, then makes recommendations to the city council. The council tentatively approved the 2008-09 funding schedule this week and is expected to finalize it at a June 16 meeting.

In addition to the cultural grants, aldermen also have tentatively approved allocating $585,000 in hotel/motel taxes to the St. Charles Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the same as last year.