Southern Indiana Business Report
Organizations in rural communities with a population less than 50,000 can apply for micro-grants to support arts and cultural activities connected to the 2024 solar eclipse.
The Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement will support rural community activities that focus on arts and culture and unite residents around the historic astronomical event. This initiative is supported with funding from the Simons Foundation, and Regional Opportunity Initiatives is serving as the fiscal agent for the grant program. The priority deadline for applications is Sept. 1.
The path of totality of the April 8 solar eclipse will cover a segment of the U.S., Mexico and Canada, including a large part of Indiana, in complete darkness for up to four minutes as the moon shadows the sun. The next time Indiana will fall in the path of totality of a solar eclipse will be 2099.
The Center for Rural Engagement invites community organizations located within the path of totality to apply for a micro-grant up to $2,000 for eclipse-related events and activities leading up to April 8 that include visual, public or performing arts; placemaking and design; and cultural heritage using the ROI grant portal.
Communities in the path of totality are preparing for the eclipse and many are anticipating large crowds to travel to those cities and towns where the total darkness will be the longest.
State Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, is encouraging eligible groups to apply.
“The total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and many Americans will visit the path of totality, which runs through portions of southwest Indiana,” Messmer said. “This grant opportunity is a great way for local organizations to attract visitors to the area and promote communities that will see an increase in visitors.”
The Center for Rural Engagement will host virtual office hours to assist applicants on a drop-in basis from 2-3 p.m. EDT on Wednesdays in August. Applicants can sign in for office hours at rural.indiana.edu/events. For micro-grant guidelines and more information about the initiative, visit rural.indiana.edu or contact Hannah Jones at [email protected].Â