Community Foundation Announces $207,450 in ArtsEverywhere Grants

As part of its 2024 fall grants cycle, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has awarded $207,450 to the following organizations:

WVPE: $150,000
Funds are intended for WVPE’s equipment upgrades as they move to a new, larger space within Elkhart Community Schools. WVPE intends to set up new equipment in 4 studios, transitioning from their existing 6,000 square feet into the new 8,000 square foot space, which will have a separate entrance. This move converts the station to the current generation of audio processing equipment, digital audio over IP, which is the standard of today, and reduces wiring requirements by more than half, while increasing audio fidelity. This is an equivalent jump from album to CD audio playback, and all processing will occur inside a computer rather than several different processors. It will give WVPE’s online streaming service an even crisper sound.

WNIT Channel 34: $15,000
Funds are intended for 2025 annual sponsorship funding in support of multiple programs WNIT airs supporting the arts in St. Joseph County. As a PBS station, they bring the highest-quality national arts performances to local audiences to inspire and entertain as well as featuring local arts through weekly episodes of Experience Michiana and a strong line-up of local performances like Live from ND, Arts at IUSB series, holiday shows from local groups, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and more.

WVPE: $10,000
WVPE is receiving support for 2025 productions of “The Sauce” hosted by Dawn Burns (12), ‘The Sauce: Live From…’ (24), which are live concerts recorded in WVPE’s listening area, and expansion into weekly podcasts of interviews and performances (52) all in 2025. The program celebrates the vibrant cultural variety of talent reaching from local to global spaces. The program is produced locally by Karl Smith and designed to support diverse artistic expressions of local talent, inspiring efforts, and placing their work in context with nationally recognized creators.

The Music Village: $7,500
The organization is receiving funds for 2025 annual support for The Music Village (TMV). Funds will support opportunities to learn about, experience, and participate in music and dance programming. TMV’s offerings include music lessons, dance classes, group programs, jams, concerts, camps, after school programs, and more. The Music Village continues to expand programming. TMV currently has about 225 students enrolled in private lessons and music classes and serves over 300 individuals through approximately 450 sessions per month. TMV also has 40 community partnership programs.

United Youth Theatre: $7,500
United Youth Theatre (UYT) is receiving funds to support its 2025 season. The new season will engage K-12 students in four productions (Charlotte’s Web, Footloose, Clue, and Wizard of Oz). UYT’s 2025 season will offer a variety of on and off-stage opportunities for youth in our community, with a goal of reaching 1,000 youth in St. Joseph County, expanding arts access, and providing vital life skills through theater.

Vibes Music Festival: $6,850
Funds will help support local performances at the 2025 Vibes Music Festival, taking place July 12, 2025. Funds are intended to support local artistic performances. As they enhance the festival experience, VMF anticipates increased attendance and revenue—all of which directly support events, programs, and creative funds they provide year-round to benefit the arts community.

South Bend Lyric Opera: $5,000
South Bend Lyric Opera (SBLO) is receiving funds for their 2025 season. SBLO’s ninth season program includes three operatic performances including: two short operas, The Scarf and Bon Appetit by Lee Hoiby, with Ensemble CONCEPT 21, Puccini Around the World, covering some of the composer’s best known works in partnership with Merriman’s Playhouse, and the stunning Tosca, in partnership with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. SBLO will also be launching the Emerging Artist Program, a key component of their strategic educational goals, in partnership with IU South Bend.

Patchwork Dance Company: $3,500
Funds will support Patchwork Dance Company’s (PDC) 2025 season which includes two major concerts. PDC will produce a spring concert March 2025 and their holiday concert, “Christopher’s Christmas” December 2025, which typically has a cast of over 80 dancers. Every elementary school in St. Joseph County is invited to the holiday performance.

Indiana University South Bend: $2,100
The IU South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center, located in the historic 1922 Engman Public Natatorium, regularly hosts exhibitions of art and local history. Past shows include “Teresa Greve Wolf: Art that Reflects the Times,” featuring civil rights-themed works by the Chilean-born, Granger-based painter; “Ability 4,” showcasing works by community and IU South Bend student artists with disabilities; and “bi-Racial,” exploring multiple racial identities by local artist Arianna Peak. Funds will help support the Center’s three local artist exhibitions.