Valley arts groups are getting an early Christmas present.
The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust will announce today a one-time unrestricted $1 million grant to
be split among 37 arts groups and cultural organizations in the Valley.
“Economic distress has hit our anchor institutions as well as smaller community organizations,” said
Judy Mohraz, president of the trust. “This is a one-time deal. There were no applications and no forms
for organizations to fill out.”
The money can be spent on anything the groups need it for, with no restrictions, Mohraz said.
Groups benefiting from the grants include the larger institutions, such as the Phoenix Art Museum and
the Desert Botanical Garden, but also smaller groups like Audubon Arizona, the Bead Museum and
Fountain Hills Community Theater.
“My eyes teared up when I got the call,” said Kevin Myers, management consultant for Ballet
Arizona, which received $61,000 from the trust, who heard the news on Thursday. “They are true
angels.”
The Ballet Arizona grant is more than the company got in stimulus funding from the National
Endowment for the Arts, Myers said.
The Piper Trust has given $23 million in normal grants so far this year. It has given $250 million to
local non-profits and programs since it began awarding grants in 2000. It supports health-care and
medical research, education and religious organizations in addition to the arts.
Last year, the trust committed $1 million in community relief grants to aid Maricopa County human
services non-profit organizations, who were hit by the economic downturn.
“This year, we have witnessed a growing crisis in the arts community,” Mohraz said. “The vitality and
the very existence of some of these organizations is at risk.
“We decided that while we cannot adequately provide fiscal stability, we can highlight how important
the arts are to the community and to give some assistance as they struggle to make payroll week to
week.”
The Phoenix Art Museum will get $130,000.
“It came as a surprise,” said James Ballinger, the museum’s longtime director. “They had been talking
with us about needs and what they might be able to do, but we were talking about ideas and
philosophy, not specific money.
“Last year, they did the same thing for social services, to keep people on the beam when times were
tough. To demonstrate this kind of leadership for the community is very important.”
Steve Martin, managing director of Childsplay, says his group will receive $32,000. He said that the
fact the money has no restrictions is especially helpful.
“When we get funding, normally, there’s an application, a review and money is given for specific
projects. We do a lot of project work and we get project funding, but it’s often difficult to convince
people that paying for the overhead is just as important as the projects. There’s a light bill and copy
paper.
“Cash flow has been really difficult for us and this infusion of cash is huge and will go a long way, not
only toward making our payroll, but keeping us up to date with our vendors, too.”
Martin said his horoscope on Thursday told him not to leave the office.
“I’m glad I didn’t,” he said. “This was a great phone call.”
Reach the reporter at richard.nilsen@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8823.
