Eleven Bishop-area non-profits are officially recipients of the City’s Grants in Support. The list
was formally approved at last week’s City Council meeting. The projects range from education,
restoration and recreation with the focus split between young people and the arts community.

The grants total $68,900. Initially, the plan was to limit the total outlay to $48,000, but City
Administrator Destin Dishion explained there was sufficient money in the budget to fully fund
all 11 requests.

Here’s a brief breakdown of the grants and what Bishop residents have to look forward to.

Bishop Bike Park, designed with a series of jump lines and other features for mountain and
BMX bikers, received $4,000 to supplement community donations. Work should start on the
project, near City Park, this winter with completion this summer.

Renovation of the Bottle House, which is exactly what it sounds like, to illustrate the
importance of the bottle industry in Inyo County. The $8,000 grant is the final funding to install flooring and display space for historical collections.

C5 Studios’ $7500 grant will focus on after-school music lessons and art classes as
extracurricular options for K-12 students. Classes will be taught by local artists.
Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center project will use its $5,000 grant for education of the risks and
hazards of back country winter use. The ESAC provides daily avalanche forecasts. The Center
will kick-off the season Dec. 3 with an education event.

Eastern Sierra Pride will receive $6,000 towards its 2023 Pride Festival. The organizers have
committed to bringing in bigger name musical acts and outdoor activities. The GIS grant will beused for equipment rental, Fairground security, the Bishop Fire Department, advertising and
promotion.

Eastside Student Center received $8,000 toward rehabilitation of its future home on Short
Street. The Center will provide a safe, consistent space for students, grates 6-12, to gather for
home work support and to socialize. Other programs are in the works. Currently the Center is
open two days a week with 30-75 students. The goal is to provide support for more students,
five days a week.

Friday Night Markets has been successful in bringing people downtown as well as showcasing
local artists and home-grown produce. The organizers, Friends of Tri-County Fairgrounds,
received a $10,000 grant.

Community Arts Days and School Arts Days each received a $5,000 grant through Inyo Council
for the Arts. The group hosts the spring program at City Park, showcasing local artists, holding
workshops and performances. The school program will focus on take-home art projects.

Playhouse 395’s Children’s Theater also received a $5,000 grant toward their annual theater
production for elementary through middle-school age students. The group works jointly with
the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

United Methodist Church environmental project will divert food waste from the Church’s soup
kitchen through vermicomposting. Instead of going into the landfill, food waste ends up being
used for composting and soil regeneration. The group also has workshops planned.