4th Street Theater receives grant from Porter County Community Foundation

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a $4,000 grant to 4th Street Theater to purchase surge protection for their building.

---

The Porter County Community Foundation awards a Community Fund Grant to 4th Street Theater. (Pictured left to right: David Pifko, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Denise Barkow, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Kent Mishler, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; and Linda Pauli, 4th Street Theater Board Member.)

---

Twenty years ago, 4th Street Theater opened with only eight theater lights as well as a makeshift light board. “Over the years, the Porter County Community Foundation has awarded grants that have brought us into the 21st century,” said Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member. “This most recent grant gives us the surge/electrical equipment to protect our very expensive lighting and sound equipment as well as all other electrical devices in the theater."

“The arts are an integral part of our community,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “We appreciate the commitment of all those involved in 4th Street Theater to bring high-quality community theatre to Duneland.”

4th Street Theater was originally founded in 1990 as the North Coast Cultural Association. This all-volunteer nonprofit organization produces award-winning theater productions in Northwest Indiana for our community to enjoy.

Painting Donation Commemorates 100th Anniversary of Artist’s Birth

Sue and Andy Arnold, of Chesterton, recently purchased “Flowers of Mexico” by Jan Sullivan (1921-2016) from the Art Barn School of Art collection to donate to the Porter County Community Foundation. Sue currently serves on the Art Barn’s board of directors and Andy is a member of the Foundation’s board.  

On behalf of the Porter County Community Foundation, Bill Higbie accepts a Jan Sullivan painting donated by Andy & Sue Arnold. (Pictured left to right: Andy Arnold, Sue Arnold, Bill Higbie (Porter County Community Foundation President & CEO), Amy Davis Navardauskas (Art Barn School of Art Executive Director)

 “The Community Foundation greatly appreciates the Arnolds’ generosity”, said Bill Higbie, President and CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation.  “It is a privilege to become the home for this painting by Jan Sullivan, founder of the Art Barn School of Art and one of Porter County’s most well-known and prolific artists”, Higbie added.

 Porter County Community Foundation has provided much needed funding to help expand art programs with the addition of a ceramic arts studio at Art Barn.  Support was also provided to update the lobby and renovate restrooms to be more inviting and ADA compliant.  Art Barn was recently awarded a grant to assist in the purchase of a utility tractor for grounds maintenance.

 Art Barn director, Amy Davis Navardauskas states, “we are truly grateful for the grant funding the foundation has provided to expand programs and support operations.  This investment has enabled us to grow as an organization”, continued Navardauskas. 

 See more of the permanent collection during “Jan Sullivan’s Nature: Works by the Founder of Art Barn School of Art” which is currently on display at Art Barn School of Art through Saturday September 25, 2021. The reception on Saturday September 18 from 3:00 to 5:00p.m. (during the annual Art Blitz festival) will provide an opportunity for the public to celebrate exhibiting artists and Sullivan’s centennial birthday.  Admission to the festival and reception is free and refreshments will be served.

 For more information about the exhibition, our collection or works for sale, please visit artbarnschool.org, email info@artbarnschool.org, or call 219-462-9009.

Grants Awarded to Two Nonprofit Organizations Benefiting Wildlife and the Arts

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded two grants, one to the Art Barn School of Art and the other to Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – a subsidiary of the Humane Society Calumet Area. 

With the funds, the Art Barn School of Art was able to host adult art workshops for community members to attend.  The funds provided the art supplies for the classes, scholarships for local artists to attend the classes, and brought in nationally known professional artists to teach the workshops.

Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center used the funds to host Wildlife Live Animal Education Programs for children and Porter County residents of all ages. Through these programs with hands-on educational opportunities, community members learn about Indiana’s native wildlife and gain an understanding of the impact that our daily lives have on our native species.

: Porter County Community Foundation Presents Grants to Porter County Nonprofits

The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded grants from its Community Fund to several nonprofit organizations. Grantees are selected through a competitive application process open to 501(c)(3) agencies serving Porter County.

The Family & Youth Services Bureau was awarded a grant that provided the necessary funds to have a new roof installed on their downtown Valparaiso building.  

The Independent Cat Society is a non-profit, cage-less, no-kill cat shelter that has promoted the welfare of all animals, especially cats, since 1976. In conjunction with the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) Community Cat Clinic and local Porter County Veterinarians, the funds from the grant will help spay or neuter 100 cats or dogs in our community.  

Porter County Association for Handicapped Children and Adults received funds to help make a difference and improve their clients’ daily lives.  With the funds, this organization can purchase custom devices necessary for individual clients that Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance won’t cover. This equipment will help children and adults enjoy everyday activities with their families in a more inclusive manner.

Porter-Starke used the funds to support their InSHAPE program that is designed to improve the physical health and wellness of people with mental illness. Participants met weekly, developed individual fitness plans, exercised, and learned about nutrition & healthy eating.  The YMCA partnered with Porter-Starke to help make this nationally-recognized program possible here in Porter County.

Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation received funds to bring a real-life storytelling event to Northwest Indiana’s Memorial Opera House, which was selected as the host site for all of Chicagoland. The performance, “This is My Brave”, is part of a national campaign to raise awarness of mental health issues.  

The Knights of Columbus’ Bike Project - founded by Mark Siminiski - received funds to purchase parts that will help repair donated bikes. These bikes are restored and then given away through various organizations to kids who may have only dreamed of having their own bike.    

The Portage Resale shop needed new furnaces for their building, which still had its original systems from the 1960’s.  With the community fund grant, the new heating system is in place allowing the organization to heat the building more efficiently and expand their work into areas of the building that were previously unusable.

The Kouts Volunteer Fire Department received a Community Fund Grant to purchase eight new nozzles for this all-volunteer fire department. Replacing this critical equipment will enhance delivery of water in an emergency situation and creates uniformity of the nozzles on all five trucks.  The grant also enabled them to purchase a hose washer and two adapter valves.

The flooring in the activity & dining room of St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center was original to the building and had cracked and lifted after 19 years of wear and tear, resulting in a safety hazard for their clients and visitors. The new flooring is a non-slip surface that is level, and was purposefully chosen in a neutral color, allowing all participants to feel comfortable when entering the room.