Library Receives Arts Grant for Makerspace

The Fulton County Public Library has received training and grant funding through Lifelong Arts Indiana, a program that promotes arts and creativity services for adults ages 65 and older. The library will receive $5,000 to host programming for older adults, supported by the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) in partnership with the Family and Social Services Administration.

This grant will expand the current programming by allowing the library to purchase clay, glazes, tools, and two pottery wheels. The project is called “Playing with Clay” and will incorporate two local artists as guest teachers with expertise in handbuilding and wheel throwing. FCPL is one of 36 libraries that received funding from The Indiana Arts Commission to promote the arts in their respective communities.

Erica Coffing, Makerspace Coordinator at the library, spoke about the grant. “We are very grateful that the IAC is so invested in bringing arts programs to communities. We can now offer different media and free classes through these upcoming projects and in the future.”

Participating libraries were identified through a partnership with the Indiana State Library and were offered an opportunity to attend a training on creative aging best practices and to apply for an early action grant to deploy their learnings in their own communities.

Funded programming will take place between June 1, 2024 and December 13, 2024.