Denton is a mini-hotbed for the Arts, it’s true. Until recently, however, there wasn’t a lot of financial support available for those artists short on much-needed cash for their creative ventures. This year, in an effort to actualize Denton County’s seemingly endless artistic potential, the Greater Denton Arts Council is expanding its grants program to include  $500 artist microgrants for creators of all sorts in Denton County. All member artists are invited to apply, no matter their medium, means of expression, or relative quirkiness.

Joanna Lugo, GDAC Membership and Grants Coordinator, says these new microgrants are designed to encourage all Denton-area artists to exercise their crafts for the good of their hometown. For this first year of microgrants, she notes, the GDAC is seeking “multiple artists from multiple mediums looking to do projects that impact and reflect the community,” whether they be musicians, writers, visual artists, or otherwise.

You’re not limited by much with your proposal, though your project or program must be done within Denton County, and it must be art-oriented – duh. Also, you’ll have to actually use your grant for your proposed project and not political work, medical bills, tuition, or any other fiscal raincloud. You can use your grant to rent a studio, exhibit your work, buy supplies, rent equipment — whatever you need to get it done.

The application process is pretty straightforward, and proposals will be judged simply on their “artistic quality,” alongside the creator’s goals for the work and their application’s relative thoroughness. If selected, you’ll have to come in for a 5-10 minute interview, but other than that, the application itself won’t take longer than an hour to complete. Plus, if you can persuade the panel, you can essentially make whatever you want. It’s up to you to figure out how your proposed project will create a lasting, positive effect on the community.

Whether its painting, print-making, piano, prose, or anything in between, it’s possible (if not probable) that the GDAC has a grant with your name on it. All you have to do is apply.