The National Endowment for the Arts announced today that
it has awarded grants totaling $816,100 to three Alabama arts organizations
including the Alabama State Council on the Arts. These federal grants support
arts education and arts projects in Alabama. In addition, the Endowment works
in partnership with the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) to ensure that
the people of Alabama have access to the arts. A grant of $776,100 to
ASCA helps to support projects throughout Alabama.
In announcing the grants, National Endowment for the Arts
Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter said, “Reflecting the diverse artistic
richness of our nation, these Arts Endowment-funded projects are varied in
their size, scope, and artistic discipline. The projects also illustrate the
unique geographic reach of Arts Endowment funding, serving Americans in places
large and small in all corners of the country.”
Dr. Elliot Knight, Executive Director of the Alabama
State Council on the Arts, said, “The National Endowment for the Arts support
is vital to enriching Alabama’s communities and expanding the quality of life
for its citizens. These federal funds support arts education activities, arts
projects, folklife, as well as programming in diverse disciplines throughout
the state. Alabama will greatly benefit from this federal investment in the
arts.” Federal funds are combined with additional funding appropriated by the
Alabama Legislature and are re-granted to over 200 organizations annually
across Alabama. The return on investment is powerful and significant and helps
attract new business to the state. Businesses considering a move into Alabama
seek an active and vibrant arts community. Research has proven that artistic
exposure and involvement stimulates minds, and offers different methods of
solving problems. In addition, the National Endowment for the Arts works to
ensure that people throughout the country have access to the arts, in their
communities and as part of their educational and life experiences. Every grant
that Alabama makes at the state level is a reflection of that national effort
to make the arts available to all of our citizens. The Alabama State Council on
the Arts is proud to work with its federal partner, expanding the benefit of
the arts.
In addition to applying for grants offered by ASCA, we
encourage arts organizations throughout Alabama to stay informed about the
National Endowment for the Arts grant programs and to submit applications
directly to the NEA for support of future endeavors.
Here is the list of Alabama grants recently announced by
the National Endowment for the Arts:
Alabama’s Number of Grants: 3 Total Dollar
Amount: $816,100
Sloss Furnaces Foundation, Inc. (aka Sloss)
$20,000
Birmingham, AL
Art Works - Arts Education - To support a summer youth apprenticeship program in metal
arts.
Space One Eleven, Inc.
$20,000
Birmingham, AL
Art Works - Visual Arts - To support an exhibition by contemporary artists
exploring issues related to addressing gun violence and safety.
Alabama State Council on the Arts
$776,100
Montgomery, AL
Partnerships - State &
Regional - To support arts programs, services, and activities
associated with carrying out the agency's National Endowment for the
Arts-approved strategic plan.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment
for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives
Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their
imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with
state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic
sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates
America's rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote
equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to
learn more.
About the Alabama State Council on the Arts
The Alabama State Council on the Arts is the official
state arts agency of Alabama. The staff of the Council, directed by Dr. Elliot
Knight, administers the grants programs and provides technical assistance in
arts planning and programming. The Council receives its support through an
annual appropriation from the Alabama Legislature and funding from the National
Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.