Marion Community School of the Arts Receives $250,000 to Sustain Youth Programs and Build Organizational Capacity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Marion Community School of the Arts | [765-662-6263 | shellyinskeep@csa-marion.com

Marion, Ind. – Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) has awarded Marion Community School of the Arts a grant totaling $250,000. The funding will help Marion Community School of the Arts strengthen programs serving young people in Grant County and surrounding counties and build the organizational capacity needed to deepen its impact over the next several years.

IYI made the grants in connection with Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative Lilly Endowment Inc. launched in 2023. The initiative seeks to help youth-serving organizations working throughout the state improve their abilities to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people, ages five through 18.

With this support, Marion Community School of the Arts will build on the success of our previous SYPI investment and strengthen CSA’s capacity for continued growth. The original funding allowed us to establish a part-time Director of Visual Arts position, which has significantly expanded our visual arts programming and provided greater consistency and leadership for students and faculty. This grant will allow us to expand that position to full-time, increasing our capacity to develop programming, support faculty, serve more students, and continue growing the visual arts program.

Funds will also support adding a marketing and fundraising staff position. This position will strengthen CSA’s ability to reach new audiences, communicate our programs more effectively, build community partnerships, and increase access to the arts for more individuals and families throughout our community.

Finally, grant funds will support targeted equipment upgrades that will strengthen and expand our programming. Together, these investments will build organizational capacity, improve the quality and reach of our programs, and position CSA for sustainable growth in the years ahead.

“We are grateful for this investment in the future of Marion Community School of the Arts and the young people we serve,” said Shelly Inskeep, Executive Director of Marion Community School of the Arts. “This funding will allow us to strengthen the people, programs, and resources behind our work so we can reach more students, expand opportunities, and make the transformative power of the arts accessible to even more of our community.”

Marion Community School of the Arts is one of 168 youth-serving organizations awarded SYPI grants totaling more than $40 million. A full list of grant recipients is available here.

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About Marion Community School of the ArtsMarion Community School of the Arts (CSA) is a nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to transforming lives through the arts by providing accessible, high-quality opportunities for people of all ages. Founded in 1995 and located in downtown Marion, CSA serves students and community members throughout Grant County and the surrounding region through more than 200 classes and programs in visual arts, performing arts, culinary arts, and theatre. CSA also produces community theatre performances and provides pre-professional training through CSA Theatre compANY, creating pathways for young people to develop their artistic skills, confidence, creativity, and connection to their community. Visit www.csa-marion.com to learn more.

About Indiana Youth InstituteIndiana Youth Institute’s mission is to improve the lives of all Indiana children by strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that are focused on kids and youth. IYI is Indiana’s premier source for high-quality data on child well-being and data-informed action to address challenges Hoosier children face. It leads the FIVE by 50 vision as a connector and convenor to ensure that every child will have a network of five caring, supportive adults in their life by the year 2050. Visit iyi.org to learn more.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion.