Submitted By: Emily Parkman
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Presentation By: Cultural Arts Supervisor, Emily Parkman
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve Nehyssa Turenne LEAP Through Dance grant application update for $2,000
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BACKGROUND:
Nehyssa Turenne is a local competitive dancer, current Miss Northeast Florida Teen, Third Runner Up at Miss Florida Teen 2025, and performing arts accessibility advocate. Nehyssa is committed to providing accessible dance programming to Marion County youth. Nehyssa created LEAP (Launching Equal Access to the Performing Arts) as a community initiative to offer free dance workshops and mentorship opportunities to children struggling with accessibility or intellectual disability.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Ocala Cultural Arts received the OMAC grant application for Nehyssa Turenne's LEAP Through Dance program requesting $3,000 on July 23, 2025. Old grant application form with proposal and budget breakdown of $3,000 funding request for choreography fees, dance costumes, dance shoes and gear, competition entry fees, studio rehearsal rental and coaching, and community dance outreach marketing materials and other supplies. No other funding sources listed. The applicant has not received an OMAC grant in the last 12 months or ever. The grant proposal was presented to OMAC on August 6, 2025.OMAC tabled the proposal due to concerns about workshop timeline and location along with budget clarification and breakdown of $2,000 or $3,000 funding to determine eligibility.
Cultural Arts staff received grant updates on August 8, 2025. The updated grant request is $2,000 with an updated budget and timeline. The artist, participants, and workshops are in Marion County. The budget does include $150 of non-allowable expenditure for refreshments. The OMAC grant fund has $8,000 available to spend this fiscal year. Staff recommends approval of grant request with changes to exclude non-allowable expenses.
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