If your idea of the holiday season in Phoenix means giving, being able to drink coffee that isn't iced, and eating way too many sweets, then you'll want to pay attention to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 's big plans for December.
Good 'N Plenty is making its second go-around at SMoCA Lounge and will give one local artist a fantastic year-end treat.
See Also: - Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Opening "SMoCA Lounge" in the Fall - Tania Katan Kicks Off a Literary/Performance Series at SMoCA Lounge
The purpose of Good 'N Plenty is simple: award a local artist a grant while providing a fun event that avoids the typical stuffiness prevalent in many grant ceremonies.
According to SMoCA Lounge Program Coordinator Tania Katan, the winner of the grant will be chosen from a group of local creative applicants (yes, there's still room to apply -- more on that later) and money for the grant comes from cash raised by the attendees of the Good 'N Plenty event at SMoCA Lounge on December 14.
Katan says the more people who attend, the larger the artist grant will be. And to make the award even sweeter, SMoCA's sister organization Scottsdale Public Art will be matching the amount raised for the grant.
All submissions will be eyed carefully by a panel of local professionals who were chosen based on diversity and how they connect art and the community, according to Katan. Members include Jaime Dempsey (Deputy Director of AZ Commission on the Arts), Gregory Sale (Assistant Professor in Intermedia at ASU), Claire Lawton (Editor of Jackalope Ranch at Phoenix New Times), Stacey Jay Cavaliere (Prevention Coordinator at 1n10), and Eric Iwersen (Principal Planner for City of Tempe).
The panel will chose six artists who will present their projects at the GOOD 'N PLENTY event on December 14 in the most entertaining and compelling way they can. The audience will then vote on which project/creative they want to win.
"Having the actual attendees vote on which project should receive the grant is another aspect that sets Good 'N Plenty apart," Katan says.
The first Good 'N Plenty grant of $1,000 was awarded to Catherine Reid, a teacher at Roadrunner Elementary School. Katan says Reid used the grant money to buy instruments for the after-school songwriting club she created.
Those wishing to apply to be a part of the final six are encouraged to check out the SMoCA Lounge website to get all the application information and guidelines.
Submissions for Good 'N Plenty end on December 11 and the event will take place December 14 at SMoCA Lounge located at 7374 E. 2nd Street at 7 p.m. Snacks will be provided from Super Chunk Sweets and Treats and Cowboy Ciao and caffeinated beverages brewed up by Cartel Coffee Lab.
Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased on the SMoCA Lounge website.
