Castle Rock — The Town Council on Oct. 21 approved six art-and-culture grants totaling $30,683 to local organizations seeking to expand public performances, exhibitions and arts education.

The Public Art Commission recommended the awards after a panel review of 17 applications. The approved grants include project, program and educator grants aimed at "shovel-ready" projects with measurable public impact, the commission said.

Approved awards include:
- Tri Arts Project (TAP): $10,000 to host four quarterly exhibitions and associated public programming at Cantrell School; funds will pay exhibit setup, marketing, awards and opening-night programming.
- Castle Rock Music: $5,000 to complete a community stage at its downtown music space, purchasing sound and lighting upgrades and seating to support recitals and the Jazz in the Park series.
- An aerial-acrobatic studio: $5,000 for a Dia de Los Muertos performance blending aerial and theatrical elements, including performers, set design and outreach for about 200 attendees per show.
- Parks and Trails Foundation: project commission of a chainsaw-carved sculpture for Hangman's Gulch Trail; the $5,000 award covers artist commission and a plaque.
- Castle Rock Band (program grant): $4,968 to support a free public concert series, instrument maintenance and storage.
- William Faber (educator grant): funds for a four-session songwriting workshop at Castle Rock Music serving about 30 participants.

Maya Yates, special project analyst in Parks and Recreation and the staff liaison to the Public Art Commission, said staff and volunteers learned the first round produced many incomplete or non-shovel-ready applications and that future cycles will open earlier with clearer guidance and information sessions for applicants. The town will distribute funds this fall and require completion of projects by the close of 2027.

Councilmember Hollingshead moved to approve the recommended awards; Mayor Pro Tem Cavey seconded. Roll call vote was unanimous, 7-0.

Council and commission members said the grants are funded from the town's public art fund, seeded by a $200,000 general fund transfer and additional lodging tax contributions; staff clarified public art money is separate from the 2A public-safety funding measure, which is dedicated to police and fire.