Elizabeth Grandsaert awarded $132,000 by the KDA Creative Corps for her new comic, On the Farm!
Pioneer — The KDA Creative Corps (KDACC) announced May 1, 2023 that Elizabeth Grandsaert received $132,400 in funding to execute On the Farm Comics from May 2023 to May 2024.
Elizabeth Grandsaert, with the support of the KDA Creative Corps, is set to embark on an exciting project that aims to promote awareness related to water and energy conservation, climate mitigation, emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery in rural communities throughout the Mokelumne Wilderness area. This talented artist plans to create a 50-page quarterly comic that will captivate readers with its informative graphics and compelling narrative. Elizabeth is determined to encourage community participation and pride in one of California's most isolated areas by using prize-based incentives to build engagement. She plans to distribute free copies of the comic throughout upcountry Amador and Calaveras communities while executing a complex system of integrated media communication strategies. Her campaign encourages engagement in creative writing, fire safety questionnaires, and fan art publication. This incredible project aims to educate the public on effective conservation strategies and build community around shared experiences.
Elizabeth Grandsaert is proud to be on the list of the 20 recipients who will receive funding for their arts programming which will create a combined 571 jobs here in Central California.
"We were thrilled to see the enthusiastic response from artists and organizations across the region for the KDA Creative Corps grant program," said KDACC Program Director Andrea Hansen. "After a thorough review process, we were excited to announce Elizabeth Grandsaert as a recipient of this inaugural grant and even more excited to see the impact this project will have on the community over the next year."
Out of 140 eligible individuals and organizations, KDACC received an astounding $21.7 million in grant application requests for $3.4 million in available funding. The grant applications came from all 14 counties in the Central Valley and Eastern Sierra region of the state.
Applications from individuals and eligible organizations were reviewed against objective criteria that considered project design, artist involvement, impact on the Healthy Places Index, community engagement and budget. A review panel adjudicated complete and eligible applications based on the criteria against a 6-point ranking scale. Final grant awards were made collaboratively between the Kern Dance Alliance Board of Directors, KDACC program staff and the California Arts Council (CAC) staff.
For more information about the projects please visit https://kdacreativecorps.org/.
The California Creative Corps is a pilot program designed to promote community and civic engagement and spread awareness about water and energy conservation, climate change, emergency preparedness, relief and recovery through the arts.
About “On the Farm,”
Join Jax DuBois and their group of friends as they take you on a wild and exciting adventure through the ups and downs of life on the farm. Jax lives in the beautiful upcountry of Amador County and spends their days swimming in the refreshing Mokelumne river and helping their mother prepare their property for wildfires and snow. These comics are not just about the fun and games, but also about spreading awareness on climate mitigation, energy conservation, and emergency preparedness. The artist has created these characters based on real-life upcountry locals, so you know that you can relate to their experiences. Get ready to be inspired and entertained by the amazing life of Jax and their friends on the farm!
About the Fire Keepers Club
If you're someone who is passionate about protecting your community from natural disasters, then join our Fire Keepers Club! Not only will you have the chance to win some fantastic free merch, but you'll also be able to share your personal stories of creativity and resilience in the face of adversity. Whether you've battled wildfires, snowstorms, floods, or any other natural event, we want to hear from you! By joining our Fire Keepers Club, you can share your story and experience with locals who are just as dedicated to keeping their communities safe as you are. Plus, you'll have access to conservation and emergency preparedness resources that you won't find anywhere else. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and become a part of something extraordinary!
ABOUT THE KDA CREATIVE CORPS
The KDA Creative Corps (KDACC) is a pilot program, part of the California Creative Corps, designed to promote community and civic engagement, spread awareness about water and energy conservation, climate change, emergency preparedness, relief and recovery through the arts. KDACC is administered by the Kern Dance Alliance, one of 14 organizations selected statewide to regrant funds in their respective regions to arts and social service organizations, individual artists, and cultural workers. For more information, visit KDAcreativecorps.org.