BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and The Porch Too are teaming up for arts philanthropy with an EAT! Micro-Grant Dinner at BMAC on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m.
For $12 ($6 for children 12 and under), up to 80 dinner guests will enjoy soup, salad, and dessert and help decide which local art projects will receive the proceeds from the dinner.
Based on similar programs around the world, EAT! (Enhancing the Arts Together!) micro-grant dinners are designed “to enhance the vitality of art, artists, and communities by generating grassroots funding for local art projects and fostering collaborative decision-making,” according to a news release.
The Feb. 23 dinner marks a “reboot,” after a five-year hiatus, of a micro-grant dinner series BMAC offered from 2010 to 2014, in partnership with the former Elliot Street Cafe, which generated more than $10,000 for local art projects.
Over soup, salad, and dessert donated by The Porch Too, dinner guests will review and discuss the micro-grant applications submitted in advance. At the end of the night, they will vote for one or more projects to receive the night's proceeds.
For every $6 received in admission fees, $5 will be awarded to the winning project or projects, and $1 will go to BMAC to cover expenses.
Those wishing to apply for a micro-grant must complete a simple three-question application form by Monday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. Forms are available at brattleboromuseum.org or in hard copy at the BMAC front desk.
Micro-grants will likely range from $200 to $800, depending on how many people attend the Feb. 23 dinner and how many micro-grants the dinner guests choose to award.
Individuals, groups, teams, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, and others are welcome to apply. Applicants and their friends are also welcome to attend the dinner and cast votes.
To purchase tickets to dinner or submit a micro-grant application, visit brattleboromuseum.org or call 802-257-0124, ext. 101. Tickets to dinner will also be available at the door, subject to availability.
Anyone who is unable to attend the Feb. 23 dinner but wishes to make a donation to increase the amount awarded should contact Michelle Pizzo at 802-257-0124, ext. 101, to make the necessary arrangements.