CONGRATULATIONS IACA CYCLE #5 
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENT, JAMES "SUGEASY" SINGLETON! 

Click here to learn about our other Cycle #5 grant winner, Magnus Villanueva.


















Photo Copyright © James "SugEasy" Singleton

Congratulations to James "SugEasy" Singleton on a successful grant application! 

The following is his grant proposal:

I live Hip Hop. I love Hip Hop. I am Hip Hop. My work as a choreographer and dancer is not discrete from my Hip Hop lifestyle and my fundamental belief that my culture can motivate others to find positive ways to show the art within themselves. So I live, learn, and practice what I teach. Woven into my creative process--to live Hip Hop, study the history, grow my skills through training with the best...is the impulse to spread this knowledge to a new generation of students.

My work as a choreographer, authentic Hip Hop culture educator, dance instructor, and mentor creates a physical and mental safe haven for self-expression that's open to young people from all walks of life in our community. I elevate minds and enrich souls by helping kids discover their own inner passions through the elements I teach--mainly Hip Hop Dance, Breaking, DeeJaying, Emceeing, and Graffiti Writing. And this generates within them a sense of self-confidence, freedom, and a desire to be actively artistic.

Authenticity is important to me, so I perform all the elements I teach. I study them extensively on my own by attending local and national workshops, competitions, and Hip Hop events--where and when I can afford them. My intention has always been to continuously grow my knowledge and bring cohesive instruction to my students and to their parents, educating all on the original missions of Hip Hop: peace, love, unity and having fun. Changing perceptions of my lifestyle from negative to positive is also very important to me since Hip Hop is who I am.

I have been dancing my whole life, and have been actively teaching classes in various formats for 25+ years. I am also a professional DeeJay, hosting and entertaining at events throughout Kansas City. I have been teaching DeeJaying; writing for Emcees; Beat Box; and Graffiti writing at multiple camps and workshops for about 10 years now.

I would use the $250 from this grant to hire an artist to come to my week-long Hip Hop Summer Camp this June and use their visual flair to take photos and videos of me, my campers, and our activities together. It would be extremely helpful to the future of my business to have a selection of high-quality photos and video clips which I could use to not only promote my annual Hip Hop Summer Camp, but also the Hip Hop Workshops and studio classes I teach throughout the year. My students and customers enjoy learning about all the amazing artistic elements of Hip Hop Culture and I'm proud to be a practitioner of all and to be able to teach them all. It would be so great to have visually striking photos and videos on hand to showcase my services. I have in mind two local Kansas City artists I would like to hire for this job, depending who is available and up for the task. This grant would thus benefit me by improving the marketability of my work and it would benefit another local artist by giving them payment for their services, valuable experience, and new photos for their portfolio.












You may be the next grant winner! Click here to apply. 

There is no specific type of artist that we focus on or primarily support. Creative expression comes in a wide variety of artistic disciplines and genres. We are looking for passion and excellence in your craft. Tell us why your work is important to you and how you hope it will impact others. 
"This is a highlight video from many of the recent studio classes, workshops, and Hip Hop Camps which I've taught and hosted."

"This is a highlight video specifically from my Hip Hop Summer Camp in July of 2017 to show what photos and videos I hope to have upgraded this year through the use of these grant funds."
Integrity: Arts & Culture Association is honored to approve James "SugEasy" Singleton's funding request and we wish him the best in all of his future artistic endeavors!
Where Eagles Soar (Isaiah 40:31)