In the Black Belt region, where the arts are the first to be cut from educational programming in tough times, $100,000 in grant money will be awarded to arts initiatives around the area. On Saturday, the Black Belt Community Foundation will award grants to 42 non-profit organizations for the seventh round of grants given by the Black Belt Arts Initiative.

The awards will begin at 11 a.m. at Wallace Community College.

To qualify for the grant, the organizations must be non-profit as well as serve and work out of the Black Belt.

“We hope the organizations work for the same goals as the Black Belt Arts Initiative — to promote the arts and artists, to promote art awareness and stimulate creativity among citizens in the region,” arts coordinator for BBAI Kristin Law said.

BBAI was established in 2004 and since its creation it has invested $1,882,705 into non-profits in a 12-county service.

This year Law said there were 67 applicants. She said applicants usually apply for a specific amount and submit a budget to BBAI.

“Some organizations are able to get the full amount for their budget but they receive between $1,000 and $3,000,” Law said.

The organizations use their grant money for varied things.

For some, the grant helps buy supplies for art programs while others are able to hire professional artists to help with their programs.

“For a lot of organizations it helps them fund a specific project,” Law said. “For example, for the Arts Revive it helps with their Street Fest and for the Orrville Volunteer Fire Department it helps them fund their annual antique trailer art show.”

Among those receiving awards this year are local museums, community theatres, festivals and youth organizations offering concentrated arts programs.

“There is very little arts programming in our counties and this allows youth and others be exposed to creative programming,” Law said. “It’s just wonderful, they wouldn’t be able to do most of the programming without the grants.”