This Annual Report highlights accomplishments by the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) during the fiscal year extending from July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006. Either directly or indirectly, DDOA has been involved in a spectrum of creative and inspiring arts initiatives that took place throughout the state. As demonstrated by the facts, figures, and stories presented here, the combined efforts of many collaborators are essential in creating the enriching and lively arts community that Delawareans enjoys.

Hillside Seranac by Jonas Lie on exhibit  at the Biggs Museum of American Art

OperaDelaware's production of "The Phantom Tollbooth"

Investing in the Arts

DDOA receives funding from the State of Delaware and the National Endowment for the Arts. DDOA distributes this money in support of art programs throughout the state. A complete list of grantees is available on our website.

• One million dollars was awarded to arts organizations for general operations.

• $123,000 was contributed to community-based organizations adding and integrating the arts into their programs.

• $73,000 was distributed in capital maintenance and/or facility improvement projects.

• $51,000 was awarded in fellowships to support artists working in visual, performing, media, folk, and/or literary arts.

• $18,000 was allocated for strategic planning, fundraising, and marketing workshops and conferences for arts administrators.

• Developed a new Public Impact grant program this year to recognize arts organizations that have achieved significant progress in the areas of Community Impact or Audience Development. Our first grants will be issued in September 2006.

• Created Cultural Access grants to help arts organizations make their programs more accessible to people with disabilities. Grants will fund equipment rental costs and contractual services to accommodate the needs of people with visual, hearing, and physical challenges.

• Collaborated with the Nonprofit Finance Fund to provide financial advice and facilities planning expertise to arts organizations.

• Fostered public art projects spanning the state last year, including the New Castle County Courthouse, Brandywine Park in Wilmington, the World War II Memorial in Dover, Dolphins in Rehoboth Beach, and Snowmen in Wilmington. DDOA advises and/or provides direct support to these initiatives.

Storyteller Clem Bowen performing at the 
Wilmington Library's Culture for Kids Program

Spreading the Word

DDOA takes the lead role in disseminating information about the arts to increase awareness and participation in the arts.

• Artline is a news magazine showcasing arts events, activities, people and trends in the arts. Artline is distributed statewide in The News Journal every other month.

• Art Guide is a useful tool for tourists and the general public. It is distributed in the Fall and Spring throughout the state and contains information about galleries, museums, antiques, and the performing arts.

• DDOA's website, www.artsdel.org, features information about programs, services, resources and opportunities in the arts; a calendar of arts events; links to arts articles in the media and to national and local arts organizations; and State of the Arts podcasts, weekly radio interviews with people in the arts.

• Heartbeat of the Arts, a new component on the DDOA website, is a place to go to read reviews and opinions of recent art events.

• Arts E-News, is an electronic news alert format containing important arts information sent out several times throughout the year to people interested in the arts.

Enriching Lives

Christina Cultural Arts Center

Nikolai Pilipenchuk and Natasha Skorikova in Carson Zullinger's "Let's Dance" exhibit at the Division of the Arts Mezzanine Gallery ©Carson Zullinger

DDOA is committed to life-long learning and supports arts education initiatives for every age group from pre-school children to senior citizens.

• DDOA distributed $100,000 to support schools and partnerships between arts organizations and schools, including artist residencies.

• Poet Laureate Dr. Fleda Brown conducted readings for schools and community groups and made public appearances promoting poetry throughout Delaware. Dr. Brown recently retired as Professor of English at the University of Delaware. She is a national award-winning poet.

• DDOA coordinated the state finals of Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation contest created by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation. This program encouraged high school students to memorize and perform great poems, helping students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Delaware's winner was Simone Seal, a senior from Padua Academy.

• A Masters Level Retreat for Poets and Fiction Writers provided sixteen writers with the opportunity to advance their writing skills. Creative writing faculty from the University of Delaware, Dr. Fleda Brown, Poet Laureate of Delaware, and novelist Dr. Cruce Stark led this retreat.

• DDOA created partnerships with the Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Division of the Libraries, First State Heritage Park, the Delaware Folklife Program, and others to encourage arts programming in community settings throughout the state.

Expanding Opportunities

DDOA provides a variety of opportunities to artists and arts organizations to improve and grow.

• The 2005 Arts Summit, Showcasing the Arts, in Delaware brought together over 400 people representing individuals and organizations from every arts discipline. In addition to over a dozen workshops on topics ranging from marketing, fundraising, technology, and arts management, several new activities were added. These included live performances by over seventeen artists, a virtual art gallery, literary readings, portfolio reviews, and a cyber café.

• The Delaware Artist Roster is now available online and in print form. It features over 100 artists and provides the public easy access to information about Delaware artists and performers by discipline and geographic location.

• The Mezzanine Gallery, located in the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington, presents the work of Delaware emerging and professional artists. For artists, this experience enhances their career opportunities, and for the public, this gallery provides a chance to see a variety of styles and media including paintings, photography, sculpture, crafts, and installation art by contemporary artists.

• A partnership was established with the Biggs Museum of American Art to promote the Individual Artist Fellowship winners annually. Through exhibitions, readings, performances, public receptions, and education programs the Biggs is providing access to these artists and their artwork in the Dover area.

For a complete list of all DDOA grants, click here.

Clear Space Productions' staging of "Oklahoma!"

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