Racine Arts Council announces ArtSeed Grants for 2025, highest total awarded in history

RACINE, WI — The Racine Arts Council has announced the recipients of its 2025 ArtSeed grants, marking the highest total awarded in the program’s history. Now in its second decade, the ArtSeed program aims to foster creativity and support a wide range of artistic initiatives throughout Racine County.

This year’s funding supports 13 diverse projects, ranging from musical performances and public art to educational workshops and community festivals. The grant program is designed to enhance community engagement through the arts and support both emerging and established artists.

Racine Arts Council awards 13 local projects

Among the 2025 recipients:

• Black Arts Council of Racine received $2,000 for “Poetry in the Park,” a series of poetic performances in local parks running from July to September.
• Burlington Public Library was awarded $1,000 for a new “Library Arts Pass” program, allowing families to check out passes to area museums and participate in expanded in-house arts activities.
• Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin earned $1,000 for “Gospel Fusion,” a multicultural concert featuring gospel, jazz, and classical styles.
• First Presbyterian Church received $1,000 for “A Candlelight Concert,” a collaborative holiday event blending music, dance, and drama.
• Over Our Head Players was awarded $1,750 for a humorous puppet musical titled “Salmon-a-Rama.”
• Racine Art Museum secured $1,500 for the “RAM Community Quilt Project,” involving community workshops and storytelling through quilting.
• Racine Concert Band received $1,500 for its 2026 Commissioning Project in partnership with local high school bands.
• Racine Symphony Orchestra was granted $2,000 for a new Violin Intensive program aimed at adult musicians.
• Sweatshop Movement was awarded $800 for “SWEAT Fest: Street Jamz Vol. 7,” a festival of youth dance performances and street dance battles.
• The Branch at 1501, Park High School, and Megan Sunday received $1,200 for “The Power of Paint,” a mural project led by local students and artists.
• Urban Sketchers Racine earned $250 for the “Sketchy Friends Retreat,” a four-day sketching and learning experience across the city.
• Denise Zingg was awarded $1,000 to help young artists learn matting and framing skills as part of the Main Gallery Program.

“These artists represent the significant quality of life contributions that arts and culture make in Racine,” said Diane Carlson, executive director of the Racine Arts Council. “We had a record-tying number of applications this year, each reflecting the vibrant creativity in our community.”

ArtSeed grants are supported in part by the Wisconsin Arts Board, The Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation, and local donations.

The Racine Arts Council continues to raise funds for future grants, including through its upcoming Golf Outing Fundraiser in August.

For updates and more information, visit www.racineartscouncil.org or follow the Racine Arts Council on Facebook.

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