CITY
OF CATHEDRAL CITY
FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2025/2026
COMMUNITY ARTS GRANT PROGRAM
APPL
ICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5:00 PM FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026
Late applications will not be accepted.
Submit application to:
[email protected]
or
City of Cathedral City
68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Attention: Anne Ambrose,
Assistant City Manager / Public Arts Commission Liaison To be consi
dered for funding, a complete application must be submitted by:
• Hard copies - postmarked by April 24, 2026
• Electronic copies - received by 5:00 pm on Friday April 24, 2026. • Electronic submittal is preferred.
BEFORE SUBMITTING: Check each item included in your application package. Ensure all required text fields and applicable boxes are completed. While filling out the application, if additional space is needed, please attach additional pages to the application or include other attachments.
We are delighted to announce the opening of the application period for the Community Arts Grant Program offered
by the City of Cathedral City. This grant aims to support artists and organizations in the creation and implementation of art and art education projects that contribute to the cultural vitality and vibrancy of our community.
The Community Arts Grant Program seeks to fund innovative projects that engage and enrich the community.
We welcome proposals from artists, performers, dancers, authors, poets, musicians, designers, artist collectives, non-profit organizations, governmental, tribal and community groups and any other creative-types who are passionate about using the arts as a means of community beautification, social transformation, cultural appreciation, and civic dialogue. "Art" can be defined in the broadest extent to include art expressed in any medium, incl uding, without limitation, painting, sculpture, photography, lithography and other physical mediums; music, singing, spoken word, and other auditory mediums ; plays, films, dance, and other performance medium; literature and poetry, art history and interpretation; clothing and fashions, and cultural expressions. Art education may be provided by any reasonable means that best achieves the purpose set forth above, including, without limitation, classes, lectures, tours, programs, events, festivals, exhibits, performances, writings, films, audio recordings, and similar means. The grant is not intended to fund permanent art pieces or installations.
We encourage artists and organizations from all backgrounds and disciplines to apply for the Community Arts Grant Program and join us in creating inspiring art and cultural experiences that enrich our community. We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting the realization of your creative visions.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND POLICY GUIDELINES
• Applicants must submit a complete application including project proposal, budget, timeline and supporting materials.
• Applicants can be an individual (must complete a W-9), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, private entity, government, school, or tribal agency.
• Applicants must demonstrate that the activity proposed occurs within the geographical boundaries of the City of Cathedral City.
• Individual/Organizational residency in Cathedral City is not a requirement as long as the proposed project occurs in the City.
• Any activity proposed must be reasonably available to members of the general public. An activity will be considered reasonably available to members of the general public where the activity is open to the general public or is open to members of the public who timely reserve participation in the activity. Space for participants may be limited and the activity may be provided for only a limited time. Activities may be held in the facilities of public entities, non-profit or charitable organizations, and private facilities, provided that attendance of activities must not be limited to members, owners, subscribers or other interest holders in the private facility. Participation in certain activities may be limited to certain members of the general public, such as youths, students, seniors, or other reasonable grouping that does not constitute unlawful discrimination of a protected class. • Grant activities must be completed by June 30, 2027.
• Grant recipients must comply with all grant requirements and reporting obligations.
GRANT AP
PLICATION CHECKLIST
• Community Art Grant Program Application
• Samples of art/performances /events completed relevant to the proposed project. Include attachments or links to bio’s, social media or websites. Submitted attachments can be no larger than 20mb.
• Letters of support. Optional but encouraged. Include letters of support from community partners, stakeholders, or collaborators endorsing your project and/or confirming their involvement.
Describe How The Requested Funds Will Be Used: (Include artistic concept, intended audience, community engagement strategies. Do you have community partners that will be involved in implementing this project? If so, please list along with their roles).
Funds are requested to host a first-time, one-day bluegrass festival for players and songwriters in February 2027. The purpose of this festival is to engage and enrich the community musicians of Coachella Valley with more diverse genre of music, to increase and improve community musician’s enjoyment, writing and participation in live bluegrass and folk music and to raise their level of musicianship through close proximity and guidance from leading performers. In short, to build a stronger, broader, and more inclusive music community in the valley.
The funds will be used to provide a single day event, free and open to the public, on (tentative) February 28, 2027 from 2:30PM to 9:00PM, held at the Date Palm Country Club Community Clubhouse (36200 Date Palm Dr, Cathedral City, Max capacity: 250). Three bands will be hired to lead small group jam sessions, songwriting sessions and then to perform on the clubhouse stage for an evening program. (Outdoor setting may be explored.) Dinner boxes will be available for purchase from Nick’s Bistro (caterer) and provided free to the artists. This restaurant is located adjacent to the clubhouse and oƯers a full sit-down restaurant area and bar.
General public will be invited to participate by way of direct email, social media advertisements, online calendars, flyers posted at local businesses (library, etc) throughout the valley and personal distribution to contacts from the Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk Jam group (150 members, 8 years standing), Additional participants and volunteers will be invited from the Traditional Irish Folk Sessions (35 members, 7 years standing), Americana Guest House (123 members, 40 artists, 3 years standing), the Date Palm Country Club (several mobile home parks in the valley), other community music jam groups and students in public schools where guitar and strings are oƯered. Leading bands and songwriters will be invited from the southern California area (tentative: Water Tower, The Guest House, Sun Valley String Band, Lowkey Groove and The Cathedral City Bluegrass Band).
Community partners include:
Date Palm Country Club – Mary Linhart to host facilities A-Plus Printing and Wraps – 15-20% discount on printing Not Another Font – 50% discount on artwork
Natalie and Jason Powell – 50% discount on video and audio services Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk Jam Group – volunteer and donations
Event Schedule:
2:30 - 4:00 Songwriter Forum (indoor)
4:00 - 5:30 Small Group Jams (indoor and outdoor on the grounds) 5:30 - 6:30 Dinner Break (box meals available in-house or restaurants oƯ site) 6:30 – 9:00 Band Performances (30, 45, 45-minute sets)
Budget: (Provide a comprehensive budget for your project. Budget should include total grant funds requested, all project expenses including artist fees, materials, installation costs, rentals, advertising, travel costs. Do you have other funding that will be leveraged/used with these funds? If so, please include.) EXPENSES: $4,025
Artist Fees: $2,900
Bands: $2,500 (including travel) for 1 headliner band and 2 local bands Videographer: $200 Natalie Powell (discount applied below) Sound Engineer: $200 Jason Powell (discount applied below)
Advertising: $800
Printing: $500 by A-Plus Signs, Wraps and Print for posters, banner, A-frame, reminder sheets. (discount applied below)
Artwork: $300 by Not-Another-Font for poster & banner, including three revisions (discount applied below)
Materials: $100
Date Palm CC in-kind donation of chairs, tables, lighting Sound system provided by Dede Ondishko and Kim Halter
Miscellaneous: $100 for RaƯle tickets, raƯle buckets, wrist bands, incidentals Venue: $0
Date Palm CC donation of grounds, kitchen, patio, restrooms, parking, etc.
Food: $225
Artist meals: $225 by Nick’s Bistro for water, drinks, catered snacks and dinner for 15 artists. NOTE: additional meals will be available for purchase and are not part of the funding. (Variety meat and vegan options available for $12-15, drinks also available.)
Event Management: $0
Volunteers by members of the Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk jam FUNDING: $4,025 - $4,275
Cathedral City Artist Grant Funding: $3,325
RaƯle: $275 - $500 (donated lessons, music performances, music instruments, services, goods) by Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk Jam group
Sound and Video: $200 (50% discount) by the Powell’s
Artwork: $150 (50% discount) by Not-Another-Font
Advertising: $75-100 (15-20% discount) by A-Plus Signs, Wraps and Print
Briefly Describe Your/Your Organization’s Background. (Describe your/your organization’s background and experience. Provide examples of any relevant work, images, or links to online portfolios that have relevance to the project being proposed.
Describe your/your organization’s capacity to execute the proposed activities.)
Denise (Dede) Ondishko, Ph.D., is a retired public school music teacher and has been directing, designing and conducting large and small performances for decades. Here in the valley, Ondishko has built a growing community of musicians, songwriters and music students. For the past several years, Ondishko has led music jam groups for bluegrass, folk, and Irish music. She hosts a variety music show, Americana Guest House, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center featuring local songwriters and performers. She hosts an open mic at the Shadow Mountain Golf Course featuring original songwriters during the season. She is a seasoned festival volunteer at music festivals throughout California, Utah and Colorado and this will be the first time she is organizing a festival herself.
Jason Powell and his wife Natalie have been contributing to the sound and video recording for three years at the Palm Springs Cultural Center as part of the Americana Guest House show. Jason and Dede both perform in this event and the Cathedral City Bluegrass Band.
Dr. Powell teaches strings and choir at Palm Springs High School. They are happy to extend their services to this event.
The participants of the Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk Jam are hard-working retired professionals who have demonstrated willingness to help and get involved in events like this. A good handful will take leadership beforehand and during the day.
Website: www.deniseondishko.com
AMERICANA GUEST HOUSE Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite Youtube: @deniseondishko6823
Water Tower: California Punk Rock Bluegrass Band
The Guesthouse Band - Los Angeles Bluegrass
Better Think Twice (Lagoon Sessions)
Wade in the River (Lagoon Sessions)
Photos:
Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk Jam group 2026
Timetable: (Provide a timeline outlining key project milestones and activities from conception to completion.)
August 2026: (or earlier, when funding is confirmed)
Secure clubhouse reservation
Secure 3 bands
Create artwork for posters/banners/advertisements
Secure caterer
Secure sound engineer
Secure videographer
September – December 2026:
Request donations for the raƯle (lessons, equipment, instruments) Advertise round 1: save the date, online calendars, social media Recruit volunteers (advertising, logistics, parking, jam leaders, setup, cleanup) Prepare logistic map for flow, parking
January 2026:
Advertise round 2: promote event (paper and reminder cards), social media Assign volunteer tasks
Gather donations and prepare raƯle
February 1:
Advertise round 3: local news, social media, word-of-mouth Confirm bands, caterer, sound engineer, videographer, volunteers February 28:
Prep event space
Host event (song writers, jam sessions, concert)
Clean up
Deliver raƯle prizes if winner not present
What Do You Ultimately Hope To Accomplish Through Your Proposed Art/Program/Event? How Will It Enrich Cathedral City? (Describe your goals and objectives and how many people you hope to impact as a result of your project.)
I love living in Cathedral City. Here, we are central to all the other boroughs of the valley.
Many of my performing musical colleagues live in town with me and it sure would be grand to make a point of that! I believe this event will draw a wide number of valley music lovers and musicians. I believe this event will show a more diverse cultural experience because folk and bluegrass music are not often heard in the valley restaurants and venues. Through musical interaction with professional players and songwriters in the bluegrass and folk genre, community musicians of all ages and abilities will learn how to better play a tune, better pull oƯ a riƯ, find a better key, learn a new song, write a better song and a be happier about it. Up to 350 people could be in attendance during the day, with each person taking home more skill and knowledge to share with their musical communities. Short-term, more people will join in on the weekly bluegrass and folk jam held weekly in Cathedral City.
More artists will step up to participate in open mics in town and coƯee shop performances.
Long-term, (esp. if this festival becomes an annual event) it will bring attention to the city from a wider audience of southern California residents and Canadians who are seeking music festivals during the peak season.
If Your Art/Program/Event Costs More Than You Are Requesting From The Community Arts Grant Program, How Do You Plan To Pay For The Additional Costs? (What Steps Have You Already Taken To Get Additional Funds Or In-Kind Support If Necessary?)
I have asked the Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk Jam group to provide volunteer work and donations (both materials and monies) to help make sure the event is fully covered.
Several members are luthiers and longtime musicians with spare gear to share. We will also solicit local businesses for sponsorship items.
Do You Plan To Continue This Art/Program/Event Beyond The Period For Which You Have Requested The Funds? If So, How Do You Plan To Continue Paying For It? (Describe the types of eƯorts you will undertake to raise funds as well as your/your organization’s history of maintaining services/programs.)
There are no additional activities after this event other than the ongoing management of the Date Palm Bluegrass and Folk Jam. I am hoping this event is a success and becomes worthy of using the Cathedral City Amphitheater in future years.
To: Cathedral City Community Arts Program April 19th, 2026 From: Susan O. Thoen, Booking & Bass Director, Blue Creek Band Re: Dr. Denise Ondishko, Ph.D. Proposa
Dear Arts Program Directors,
My name is Susan Thoen, and I am a Musician, Songwriter and Performer with a background in Marketing and Promotions for two Bands in Southern California. I have had the great pleasure to have played with, worked alongside and been advised by Denise (Dede) Ondishko Since 2022. She is the ultimate professional with unbounded energy, enthusiasm and community building in this wonderful world of live music. Her support for musicians has been the springboard for creativity and kinship everywhere she goes.
I highly recommend Dede, as an organizer, a community builder and artis advocate. Her proposal for the Songwriter Festival and Bluegrass Jam will convey all of her true passion for leading an event with inclusiveness, educational forum and inspiration for all of the participants and fans in the Valley and beyond.
Thank you for considering my support for Dr. Denise Ondishko, Dede as we all know her!
Sincerely,
Susan O. Thoen
Susan Thoen
Booking, Bass & Vocals -Blue Creek Band
Songwriter - Low Key Grooves
[email protected]
678.215.4571