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Muse provides support to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus, or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards of up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align primarily with one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live music.

Participants can expect a focus on the critical elements of strong Muse grant applications and common pitfalls, as well as networking with other organizations and likeminded partners. Staff will be available for one-on-one conversations. The date, time and location of the Muse workshop, as well as a link to register, is listed below. Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting Muse applications Sept. 9. For more information, visit bohemianfoundation.org/music-programs/muse/application-assistance.

Bohemian Foundation is offering two Pharos Fund workshops. Capacity is limited; please only one individual per organization.

Muse Grant Workshop

• Date: Aug. 26
• Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
• Location: Music District, 639 S. College Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
• Capacity: 20
• Register for the Fort Collins Workshop

About Bohemian Foundation

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Muse provides support to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus, or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards of up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align primarily with one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live music.

Note to editors: Download this news release as a PDF to see the full list of award recipients.

Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for Muse grants again in fall 2019. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grant making programs and special initiatives.

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With financial support from local businesses, foundations and individuals, students from the Poudre and Thompson School Districts awarded grants to recipients including Hearts & Horses, Inc., the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center and Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center. Give Next is a partnership of community volunteers and organizations that includes Bohemian Foundation, the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, Poudre School District, Thompson School District and the Give Next Advisory Committee.

“Give Next reminds us all about how thoughtful, insightful and inspiring local students are,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs Director. “We celebrate this important accomplishment of awarding grants, but it’s just the start of what students have achieved this year. Students convey an expanded understanding of social issues; empathy for individuals impacted by these issues; a deep appreciation and knowledge of local nonprofits; a sense of responsibility to actively engage in their community; a willingness to constructively debate and share decision-making with their peers; and the pride of knowing they’re creating real change – not just through money, but by caring.”

Give Next is a school-based youth philanthropy program designed to provide middle and high school students with experience in philanthropic giving. Through the program, local businesses, foundations and individuals become classroom donors by providing each participating school with $5,000 to award to Larimer County nonprofits. Many of the students from participating schools also complete their own fundraisers to add to the $5,000 grant amount provided by donors. This year, Give Next students raised more than $10,000 through these fundraisers. Throughout the year, students design and manage their own grantmaking programs. Students work together to identify community needs, choose a focus area, create their own mission statement, research nonprofits, volunteer, conduct site visits, review grant applications and make funding decisions. At the end of the school year, students award grants to selected nonprofits. Through the process, Give Next enables students to experience the power of teamwork, the impact they can have on their community and the rewards of giving time, talent and treasure.

Currently, 18 middle and high schools in Poudre and Thompson School Districts participate in Give Next. Since the program’s inception in 2012, more than $450,000 has been awarded to Larimer County nonprofits – $390,000 of which was provided by classroom donors and nearly $70,000 of which was raised by Give Next students. Every donor dollar goes directly to student grantmaking. For more information about becoming a Give Next classroom donor or about participating in the program, contact Jodie Riesenberger at 970-221-2636 or .

Note to editors: Download this news release as a PDF to see the full list of grant recipients.

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grant making programs and special initiatives. Bohemian Foundation provides management support for Give Next.

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Local artists selected to paint pianos in 2019 are: Natalie Selden Barnes, Chelsea Ermer, Elisa Gomez, Wildrose Hamilton, Amy Heyse, Carly Knowles, Mike McPuff (McClure), Joe Motive (Myers), Lynn Rizzotto, Werner Schreiber, Larry Tucci and Kristen Vohs.

“We’re excited to watch alongside the community as this year’s artists paint scenes both familiar and fantastical under the tent in Old Town Square,” said Ellen Martin, visual arts administrator for the City of Fort Collins. “Whether it’s music-playing aliens or a colorful rendering of Horsetooth Mountain, each piano will be an adventure to those who see and play it.”

Outdoor summer painting will take place May through October underneath the Art in Action tent on the south side of Fort Collins’ Old Town Square.

About Pianos About Town

Pianos About Town brings local art and spontaneous music to the streets of Fort Collins. Pianos About Town started in 2010 as a collaboration among Bohemian Foundation, the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places program and the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority. Community members watch as local artists transform donated pianos into public art. In 2018, the program celebrated its 100th painted piano.

Scattered among 20 locations across town in the summer, and six locations in the winter, the completed pianos offer surprise interruptions of color and music across Fort Collins. The whimsical pianos beckon to passersby and invite them to make and listen to music together.

New Artist Profile: Natalie Selden Barnes, “Carousel Magic”

First-time artist with the Pianos About Town program is Natalie Selden Barnes, who has been an art educator for more than 20 years. Barnes is currently a teacher and adviser in the Department of Art and Art History at Colorado State University. She was a founding board member of Artistic Abilities, a local nonprofit with the mission of providing access to the arts for artists with disabilities.

Barnes will paint “Carousel Magic,” a concept that comes from the artist’s life-long love of carousels. “One of my earliest happy memories is of riding a merry-go-round,” said Barnes in her artist statement. “The feeling of freedom and pure joy. Reaching out to try and snatch the brass ring and running through the animals to find my favorite ride. Even today, in my sixties, I’ll always jump at the chance for fun on a carousel. I’ve tried with this design to capture the feeling of riding one.”

Concept images:

Carousel Magic by Natalie Selden Barnes

Returning Artist Profile: Amy Heyse, “How to Fold a Paper Crane”

Returning artist Amy Heyse will paint her third piano in 2019. Heyse is a Fort Collins artist and resident who currently works as lead artist and artist trainer at Pinot’s Palette in Old Town.

Heyse will paint “How to Fold a Paper Crane,” a concept that shows step-by-step instructions on how to fold a paper crane, using colors and design elements inspired by Japanese origami paper. In describing the inspiration for her piece, Heyse said, “Growing up, I loved learning how to do origami from my mom. For most people, origami is synonymous with paper cranes. A person who folds a thousand paper cranes is said to have a wish of theirs granted. They’re also a symbol of hope and healing.”

“My goal is to create a striking piano that is not only beautiful and enticing to play musically, but also instructs any passersby on how to create a small work of art on their own.”

Concept images:

How to Fold a Paper Crane by Amy Heyse

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Pharos Fund is a responsive grantmaking program of Bohemian Foundation that makes awards up to $30,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government units. A committee comprised of Bohemian Foundation board members and community reviewers selects grantees through a competitive application process.

Click here to view the full List of Spring 2019 Pharos Fund Recipients.

Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for the next Pharos Fund round in August 2019. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Muse provides support to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus, or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards of up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align primarily with one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live music.

Bohemian Foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on April 24.

For more information or to apply for a grant, visit Bohemian Foundation’s website at bohemianfoundation.org/music-programs/muse.

About Bohemian Foundation

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Project Homeless Connect will take place at Northside Aztlan Community Center, 112 Willow St. A free breakfast will be available beginning at 8 a.m. and a free lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nearly 40 local nonprofits, government agencies and businesses will provide on-site services. Bohemian Foundation, Homeward Alliance, Outreach Fort Collins and Colorado State University Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement (SLiCE) co-produce the event with support from United Way of Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins Recreation Department.

Free services this year will include basic car inspection; bike repair; medical screenings; basic dental screenings for adults and children; eye exams; family photos; haircuts; housing information; veterans’ services; ID and legal services; employment services; counseling; government benefits; child care and children’s activities; bus passes; massages; toiletry packages; pet health care and pet food.

During the event, each participant is paired one-to-one with a volunteer who helps the participant navigate the variety of services available. Last year, SLiCE recruited nearly 400 CSU students and Fort Collins community members to volunteer.

About Project Homeless Connect

The Project Homeless Connect concept originated in San Francisco in 2004. In 2005, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness launched the National Project Homeless Connect Partnership. Since 2008, more than 200 cities across the U.S., Canada and Australia have adopted the initiative. Fort Collins welcomed its first Project Homeless Connect in 2010. Since then, nearly 5,000 individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness have attended the event.

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Muse provides support to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus, or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards of up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align primarily with one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live music.

During these workshop sessions, held in Fort Collins and Loveland, nonprofit participants will join Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs staff to discuss Muse program requirements and ways to tell meaningful stories about music-related work. Music Programs staff also will discuss the important elements of a Muse grant application. During the sessions, participants will break into small, staff-facilitated groups.

Dates, times and locations of Muse workshops are listed below. Each Muse workshop will cover the same content, so please register for only one. Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting Muse applications April 3. For more information, visit bohemianfoundation.org/music-programs/muse/application-assistance.

March 12, 4-5:30 p.m.

Music District
639 S. College Ave.
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524

Register for the Fort Collins workshop.

March 19, 4-5:30 p.m.

Rialto Theater Center
228 E. 4th St.
Loveland, CO 80537

Register for the Loveland workshop.

March 27, 5-6:30 p.m.

Bohemian Foundation
240 E. Mountain Ave.
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524

Register for the Fort Collins workshop.

About Bohemian Foundation:

Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.

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Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization or a governmental unit serving a charitable purpose. Private foundations, type III non-functionally-integrated supporting organizations, and programs and projects under fiscal sponsorship are ineligible to apply to Pharos Fund. Applicants may apply for the following types of support: program support, general operating support or project support.

Applicants do not need to be headquartered in Fort Collins to receive funding. However, applicants must serve clients within the Poudre School District boundary or have a direct impact on individuals in the grantmaking area. To apply for a grant, visit bohemianfoundation.org/pharos-apply.

Bohemian Foundation is offering two Pharos Fund workshops. Capacity is limited; please only one individual per organization.

Pharos Workshop 1

Date: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: Bohemian Foundation, 262 E. Mountain Ave.
Capacity: 20

Register for the Jan. 10 workshop at www.bohemianfoundation.org/community-programs/pharos-fund/application-assistance

Pharos Workshop 2

Date: Monday, Jan. 14, 2019
Time: 3– 5 p.m.
Location: Bohemian Foundation, 262 E. Mountain Ave.
Capacity: 20

Register for the Jan. 14 workshop at www.bohemianfoundation.org/community-programs/pharos-fund/application-assistance

Bohemian Foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 23. Pharos Fund grant applications are considered twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Applicants may request any funding amount up to $30,000 per application. For more information about Pharos Fund grants, visit bohemianfoundation.org, call 970-221-2636 or email .

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The program will offer two different sessions designed to provide resources for potential applicants. Neither session is required in order to apply. During the first session, potential applicants will hear a presentation about the application process and will have opportunities to ask questions. The second session is an open house and application review, during which program staff will work one-on-one with attendees to review their applications and make application recommendations.

Application Information

The program is looking for diversity in artwork styles and concepts, with a preference for emerging artists and new and exciting ideas. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $1,000. To apply, artists must submit a letter of intent and concept rendering. The application deadline is 5 p.m. MST on Feb. 11. An Art in Public Places committee selects artists each year. For further information and to apply, visit www.fcgov.com/artspublic/current-competitions.

Session I: Presentation and Q&A
Jan. 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Music District
639 S College Ave
Fort Collins

This session will include a presentation at 6:30 p.m. about the application and review process. Handouts will be provided and program staff will be available to answer questions during the rest of the session.

Session II: Open House and Application Review
Jan 24, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Carnegie Center for Creativity
200 Matthews St.
Fort Collins

At this drop-in session, staff will be available to sit with applicants one-on-one to review applications and make application recommendations. Staff also will be available to provide general information for applicants who were unable to attend the first information session. Information about other artist opportunities offered by the City of Fort Collins will be available.

About the Pianos About Town Program:

Pianos About Town is a public art initiative that provides paid work to local visual artists, gives the public the opportunity to observe these artists work in real time, showcases the work of artists throughout town, and brings opportunities for spontaneous musical expression to the streets of Fort Collins.

The original inspiration for Pianos About Town comes from British artist Luke Jerram, who created a 60-piano installation that toured the world, stopping in New York City in June 2010. Pianos About Town also was inspired by a similar project on Denver’s 16th Street Mall. The first pianos were placed in Downtown Fort Collins in 2010. This is the ninth season for Pianos About Town.

Pianos are acquired through donations made by community members looking for a new home for their used instruments. Pianos are picked up, free of charge, from their previous homes and brought to a storage area where they are cleaned, tuned, prepped for painting, and readied for the outside elements. After that, the painting begins. Selected local artists spend approximately two weeks painting their piano in downtown Fort Collins, outdoors in a public location when weather permits. Once painted, each finished piano enters into rotation at Pianos About Town locations throughout Fort Collins. Area businesses play a key role in the success of the project by “adopting” the painted pianos and covering them during inclement weather.

Pianos About Town started in 2010 as a collaboration among Bohemian Foundation, the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program.

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