The Laurie D. Reeder Performing Arts Grant

The Megan Boone Grants for Performing Arts were established by actress and director Megan Boone, a native of The Villages and a graduate of Belleview High School. Boone created these grants in collaboration with the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) to honor two influential arts educators in her life: Laurie D. Reeder and Nancy A. Atkinson. The purpose of these grants is to provide targeted support for theatre educators and student musicians in Marion County, Florida, who are engaged in enriching the local performing arts scene. The program consists of two primary awards: The Laurie D. Reeder Performing Arts Grant and The Nancy A. Atkinson Music Grant. The Laurie D. Reeder Grant provides $4,000 annually to one 6th–12th grade theatre educator working in Marion County Public Schools. The funding is intended for use in areas that directly improve educational theater experiences, such as facility improvements, costumes, props, scripts, and travel expenses for economically disadvantaged students participating in already rehearsed performances. The grant committee favors projects that address socially relevant topics such as women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, and race relations in America. The Nancy A. Atkinson Music Grant allocates a total of $2,500 annually to be shared among up to three students from Marion County Public Schools in grades 6 through 12. Eligible students must demonstrate promise in music-related disciplines such as band, chorus, strings, or instrumental music, and must be nominated by their respective music teachers. Grant funds may be used to purchase instruments and musical equipment that support their continued growth and participation in music education. The grant cycle for both awards opens on April 1, 2025, with a submission deadline of October 30, 2025. Following the review process conducted by the grant committee, award notifications will be issued by December 31, 2025. Recipients are required to submit a final report within three months of receiving funds, detailing how the grant was used and describing the impact on their educational or artistic development. Applications must be submitted online during the designated cycle. While specific application questions are not listed in the source materials, applicants should be prepared to provide detailed justifications for their funding requests, as well as context on the proposed use of funds and the anticipated outcomes. The Marion Cultural Alliance serves as the program administrator and can be contacted for additional information. The organization is located at Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala, FL 34471. For inquiries, applicants are encouraged to call (352) 369-1500. The MCA does not employ paid solicitors, and donations to the organization are tax-deductible under the provisions of a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.