Full house, more funds

High returns from local hotel and motel tax means there's more money for some of Odessa's organizations of arts and entertainment next year.

And the good news couldn't come at a better time.

As painful gas prices affect everything from food costs to building supplies, most of the city's theaters, museums and art or music associations feel the pinch as well. Operating expenses have increased, but funding and financial support has dropped from a strain on the consumer wallet.

Despite the grim situation, however, the Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities will offer some much-needed relief for many artistic groups.

Carla Bryant, the council's director, said OCA&H has $234,000 in grants to award next year - more than they've ever had before. In 2008, the council awarded $126,976 with an additional $50,000 earmarked for mini grants throughout the year.

"Hotel and motel has been wonderful," she said. "It's money that visitors pay when they stay here - for every room sold, we get a little portion of it."

A rise in room prices and hotel occupancy in Odessa played a part in the additional tax monies received, Bryant said - one-seventh of which goes to OCA&H for distribution among qualified event organizers to support tourism.

"It's to help put heads in beds," she said. "We help (hotels) bring them in, and we have things for them to do while they're here."

Organizations or individuals holding events related to the arts can apply for the money by Sept. 2 and 501(c)3 nonprofit status is not required, Bryant said. If approved by the council's grant committee, funding is paid in 25 percent increments with the last payment made after an evaluation of the grant's use is presented.

Other stipulations include equal grant matching, and the request limit increased this year to $20,000 for an organization with a season of recurring events or $15,000 for a short-term or one-time deal.

While matching funds can be used to pay utilities, salaries and other expenses, the grant monies must be used for operation of the touristy event - no equipment purchases or facility renovations qualify for the grants.

 "We will not give them money for equipment, and they cannot apply to the city of Odessa for hotel and motel money - that's double dipping," Bryant said.

Annual membership with the OCA&H is also required - cost is $50 for an organization or $25 for individuals - and all applicants must attend a grant-writing workshop on July 29. A key to the free cash is not procrastinating and getting applications filed early.

"The biggest problem is to make it all balance - budgets can be difficult," Bryant said. "If someone will bring in their application early, though, I'll look it over and help them through it."

Anthony Ridley, Globe Theatre artistic director, said the organization operates its normal season on a $120,000 budget, so the $10,000 they received last year from OCA&H was a big plus - this season it'll total $15,000.

"I think we almost fainted," he said. "It was so much fun watching Carla give out that much money."

Ridley said he applies with the city for money in the Globe's Shakespeare Festival, but the OCA&H funds go toward some of the more seasonal productions like "Happy Birthday USA!" and the Christmas show.

"We would pick four productions that would garner some tourists - we have to justify that we're bring in people," he said.

Ridley said the grant-writing process is not that difficult and the effort is well worth it.

Bryant agreed and said she looks forward to helping the arts organizations of Odessa with more money in the upcoming year.

"Last year, all but two or three organizations got every penny they asked for and that's exciting," she said. "This year we have much more money - we're getting close to triple the amount of what we got when I first started. It's a good problem to have, but we want the organizations to use it."

WANT TO APPLY?

>> The Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities is accepting grant applications July 14 to Sept. 2 for 2009.

>> A grant-writing workshop, required for all applicants, is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 29 at the Globe Theatre, 2308 Shakespeare Road.

>> Download a grant application at www.odessaarts.org/grants.php.

>> Applications can be mailed to P.O. Box 7195, Odessa, TX 79760 or dropped off at 119 W. Fourth St., Suite 105.

>> Call 337-1492.

WHO'S RECEIVED CASH?

The Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities awarded grant money to the following organizations in 2008:

>> Allegro Inc.: $4,200.

>> American Airpower Heritage Museum: $10,000.

>> Ellen Noël Art Museum: $15,000.

>> Globe Theatre: $15,000.

>> Hispanic Heritage of Odessa: $10,000.

>> Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale: $15,000.

>> Odessa Art Association: $1,128.

>> Parker House Ranching Museum: $7,428.

>> Permian Basin Genealogical Society: $1,200.

>> Permian Playhouse: $15,000.

>> West Texas Festival of the Celts: $10,000.

>> West Texas Jazz Society: $15,000.

>> White-Pool House Museum: $8,020.

>> TOTAL: $126,976.