Every year, the city of Richardson doles out hotel-motel tax fund revenue to local cultural arts organizations. At an April 15 meeting, council members heard recommendations for which groups should be awarded funding in 2019.

The Richardson Cultural Arts Commission reviewed 13 applications for funding this year, with requests totaling just under $90,000, according to Assistant City Manager Shanna Sims-Bradish. Of those 13 applicants, the commission is recommending five groups split the total hotel-motel tax fund revenue allocation of $15,000. 

"We will always receive more requests than what we have funding for," Sims-Bradish said.

Applicants must provide a one-page description of their organization, a copy of their current year budget and proof of nonprofit status. Funding is intended to support a specific event rather than the organization's annual expenses and cannot exceed 50% of the project's cost, Sims-Bradish explained.

Here are the five groups the commission is recommending for grant funding.

  1. Dallas Chinese Community Center for the inaugural InspirAsian, a one-day interactive event hosted at The University of Texas at Dallas celebrating Asian and Asian American culture. The commission is recommending grant funding of $2,500 for the event.

  2. Richardson Community Band, which is requesting funding to commission an original music composition in honor of its 50th anniversary. The piece would be played during the band's May 2020 concert at the Eisemann Center. A grant of $2,500 is the recommendation of the commission.

  3. Richardson Community Chorale for sound equipment to be used at community outreach performances. The commission is recommending a grant of $1,500.

  4. Richardson Symphony Orchestra for a one-hour family concert at First United Methodist Church in November. The performance will include narration and musical performances from Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" and Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf." A grant of $7,500 is the recommendation of the commission.

  5. Rich Tone Chorus for a wireless LCD projector that would enhance vocal training. The commission is recommending a grant of $1,000.


Approval of the grant recommendations is slated to appear on council's April 22 consent agenda.