FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Lindsey Garner

Elmore Public Relations

lindsey@elmorepr.comor (713) 524-0661

 

BayouCityArt Festival Announces Call

for Nonprofit Partners

 

HOUSTON, Texas (November 4, 2010) – Art Colony Association (ACA) – the presenting organization behind the successful bi-annual Bayou City Art Festivals in Downtown Houston and Memorial Park – is encouraging local organizations to apply for their Nonprofit Partnership program.

 

“The Art Colony Association is proud to offer Houston’s local nonprofits a unique opportunity for funding and exposure through participation in the Bayou City Art Festivals,” Kim Stoilis, Executive Director for ACA said. “While it is known that many arts organizations have suffered a cut in funding due to poor economic conditions, our festivals continue to succeed and raise money for our participating Nonprofit Partners, which is why we are strongly encouraging organizations of all sizes to submit their materials for consideration.”

 

The ACA Board of Directors reviews and selects Nonprofit Partners to participate in the Bayou City Art Festivals, and therefore receive the bi-annual partner payments, once every two years. Each participating Nonprofit Partner receives a minimum of $6,000 annually and has the opportunity to reach thousands of potential new members, donors, audience members and guests through festival participation. The ACA has a loyal list of repeat Nonprofit Partners but wants to educate other area organizations about the many potential benefits they could receive.

 

Long-time nonprofit partner, Lawndale Art Center, has benefited greatly from the bi-annual festivals. “The funds that the festivals donate to Lawndale each year are dearly needed and much appreciated,” Christine West, Executive Director of Lawndale Art Center said. “Being able to offer a free art activity in the Creative Zone enables Lawndale to reach so many more young artists and their families than we ever would on our own. I have said many times, that I would much rather spend a weekend making art with children than sitting at my desk writing a grant request any day!”

 

Likewise, Cindi Strauss, the Assistant Director of Programming for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) also speaks very highly of the organization’s partnership with the Bayou City Art Festivals. “The MFAH has been happily involved in the festivals for more than 10 years,” Cindi said.  “The festivals have supported acquisitions for the decorative arts collection, introduced our programs and staff to thousands of art-lovers, and served as a way to give back to the community through volunteerism.”

 

During the past 39 years, the Bayou City Art Festivals have raised more than $2.6 million for local organizations, and continue to increase their biannual donations with each festival. As a result of October’s successful Bayou City Art Festival Downtown presented by Capital One Bank, ACA will present its current Nonprofit Partners with a total of $126,000 in the upcoming weeks.

 

The deadline for applications is November 19. Once nonprofit organizations are selected, they will serve as partners for the following two years. For more information on how to become a nonprofit partner, please visit the Bayou City Art Festival Website by clicking here. 

 

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Established in 1972, the Art Colony Association (ACA) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to producing high quality art festivals and events to provide financial support to local nonprofit organizations. During the past 39 years, the Art Colony Association, producer of Bayou City Art Festival Downtown in the fall and Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park in the spring, has raised more than $2.6 million for local nonprofit organizations. The Festivals are funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. Visit www.bayoucityartfestival.comfor more information.

 

E-Mail: info@bayoucityartfestival.com

Phone: (713) 521-0133

Web site: www.bayoucityartfestival.com

Facebook Page: Bayou City Art Festival

Twitter: @houstonartfest