The Village of Oregon and The Layered Onion were among dozens of local organizations that promote community arts, history, and culture to receive “Dane Arts” grants, announced in a Nov. 9 news release by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and the Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission.

In all, the county awarded $94,500 in Cycle 2 for “Dane Arts” grants this year..

The village received $995 to help fund Year 2 of its Public Art Program. According to the news release, “Year 1 of the new Oregon Public Art Program has been a tremendous success, and their goal for Year 2 is to grow the program with more and more public art installed throughout the Village of Oregon, and to bring more visitors to see the wonderful sculptures.” FOr more information on the project, visit oregonwiartwalk.com.

The Layered Onion received $2,054 for its publication, “Nourishing Expression: A Food Industry Zine for Health and Creativity.” According to the news release, the publication “creates an opportunity for the food industry to share their art and voices, showcasing the lives of food industry workers. The zine bridges the gap between those who create and those who consume food. As the industry transitions, this artistic expression provides a space for public dialogue.”

“Through county funds, private donations, and ongoing partnerships, Dane Arts grants support programs and performances that bolster our arts and culture community and make Dane County a vibrant place to call home,” Parisi said. “We are fortunate to have so many talented local artists and look forward to what they, along with our arts organizations, have planned.”

The “Dane Arts” grants are funded by county dollars in conjunction with private donations from the Endres Manufacturing Company Foundation, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation, and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. This year, Parisi and the County Board of Supervisors allocated an additional $40,000 to fund project grant requests that provide equitable opportunities for youth to participate in the arts.

Dane County’s Dane Arts will award over $220,000 in public-private funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, individuals, and municipalities for arts, cultural, local history projects and other community arts programs offered countywide.

The next project grant deadline is February 1, 2024, 4 p.m.