Bravo Greater Des Moines has awarded $4,574,000 in grants through the GC24 Operating Grant cycle, which will support general operations of 87 arts, culture and heritage nonprofits across Greater Des Moines during 2024. There are seven first-time recipients of Bravo grants, according to a news release. The full list of recipients is available here.

Nearly $60 million has been invested by Bravo since it started in 2006, the release said. The grant investments are possible because of partnerships with 17 local government communities in Central Iowa that contribute a percentage of hotel/motel tax revenue to Bravo each year.

“These investments are essential because they strengthen a vibrant cultural sector that leads to creativity, innovation and a sense of belonging for residents and visitors to the region,” Bravo Executive Director Sally Dix said in a prepared statement. “But they are also part of a strong economic engine – for every dollar Bravo invests, the sector is generating a 70:1 return in economic impact based on the recently released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6. Investing in arts and culture means investing in everything Greater Des Moines seeks to achieve.”

Bravo also announced Monday the three honorees who will be recognized at the 2024 Bravo Awards Gala on Feb. 3. Des Moines Film and Varsity Cinema, as well as the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, will receive the Spotlight Award, and Trudy Holman Hurd will be recognized with the Bravo Award.

According to the release, the Spotlight Award honors the work of Bravo’s more than 80 cultural partners for their impact on arts, culture, heritage and the local cultural economy both in the last year and throughout their tenure. A list of all past recipients of the awards is available here.

The Bravo Award recognizes an individual, family or foundation whose commitment to arts and culture has positively affected Greater Des Moines.

For more information about the gala, click here.

Related: New report shows economic impact of arts and culture on Central Iowa