The Ames City Cultural Affairs Commission (CODA) approved its 2024 annual arts grant recommendations and assigned follow-up tasks at a regular meeting.

CODA members voted to award a combined $243,416 to 22 organizations from a $252,978 allocation, leaving $9,562 in reserve for spring and fall special grants. The list of awards includes (amounts as presented): Actors — $20,200; UEFA — $8,888; Ames Chamber Artists — $6,000; Ames Youth Choir — $14,040; Ames Choral Society — $3,980; ACHAC — $13,200; Metro Opera Guild — $1,500; Ames Desi Drama — $5,260; Central Iowa Symphony — $14,000; Creative Artist Studios — $4,500; Dance Center/Dance Company — $5,740; Friends of Ames Strings — $5,420; Good Company — $3,100; India Cultural Association — $8,000; Iowa Youth Ballet — $4,660; KHOI — $8,400; Kids Commotion — $3,000; The Octagon — $44,600; Senior Variety Show — $4,900; Story Theater Company — $41,136; Town and Gown — $17,600; Worldly Goods — $4,400.

Why it matters: CODA distributes city-supported arts funding to local cultural organizations; the awards and the reserved funds determine which groups receive operating or project support in the coming year and which funds remain available for special requests.

Discussion and administrative follow-up
Members confirmed the dollar totals provided by staff and indicated no further changes to the spreadsheet presented. The commission then divided the work of drafting short annual-grant paragraphs (summary language that will accompany each award on the public posting). Members volunteered to draft the paragraphs in groups: Jaime agreed to draft the first four entries (Actors through Ames Youth Choir); another member agreed to draft the next five (Ames Choral Society through Central Iowa Symphony); Krista and another member split subsequent assignments, with Krista taking a block of five; Steve was assigned India Cultural Association through The Octagon; Mary Kay received the remaining entries (Senior Variety through Worldly Goods). Two members agreed to take one extra paragraph each so all 22 award descriptions would be covered.

Deadlines and next steps
The draft grant paragraphs are due the following Monday (the 13th) and should be submitted to Jeremy (primary) or Brian (backup). CODA's annual grant funding recommendations will be posted by city hall and on the city website next Monday. Fall 2024 special grant final reports are due Jan. 27 (the last Monday of the month). The commission set its next meeting for Feb. 3. The commission also asked for volunteers to attend the City Council budget wrap-up on Feb. 11; one member volunteered to represent CODA at that council meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of Nov. 4 minutes: motion made and seconded; carried by voice vote.
- Approval of annual grant recommendations as presented: motion made and seconded; carried by voice vote.
- Approval of assignment division for drafting annual-grant paragraphs: motion made and seconded; carried by voice vote.

Ending
With no further business, the chair adjourned the CODA meeting for the evening.