Submitted By: Jamie Antonetti
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Presentation By: Cultural Arts Coordinator, Jamie Antonetti
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Sean TMusic Global Grant Application for $2,000 for the Battle of the Drums, Art, Rap & Dance
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BACKGROUND:
Sean Thomas through his organization Sean TMusic Global is requesting the OMAC grant for Battle of the Drums, Art, Rap & Dance. This program provides engaging lessons through hands-on workshops to youth of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Citrus and Marion County with dance, bucket drums, and lyric writing to encourage and celebrate creative expression, teamwork, and leadership. Students perform their own choreography, drum beats, and rap lyrics with public showcases to strengthen community pride by highlighting local youth talent.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Ocala Cultural Arts received the OMAC grant application for the Battle of the Drums, Art, Rap & Dance requesting $2,000 on May 29, 2026. The initial grant amount request was $2,015.00 and has since been updated to $2,000. Expenses include gripping pads, duct tape, drum sticks, drum design labor, transportation, adhesive protective stickers, and instructor fee. The project dates for BDARD are August 4, 5, 6, 14, 21, 28 and September 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2026. The applicant advised that the program will be public facing. Previous grants approved include $500 on August 25, 2022, for project “Drum Therapy in Motion” as well as the Ocala Steel Orchestra Inc International Jazz Festival grant awarded for $2,500.00 May 23, 2024. The organization has not received an OMAC grant in the last 12 months, has filed final grant reports, and is in good standing. This project cannot continue without partial funding from OMAC. The OMAC grant fund has $4,800 available to spend this fiscal year.
Staff recommends approval of Sean TMusic Global “The Battle of the Drums, Art, Rap & Dance (BDARD) program.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny