The Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) awarded 136 grants totaling $1,686,060 at a meeting in Montevallo on Sept. 7.

This round of grants will support arts in education, folk arts, community arts, literature, performing and visual arts programs for this upcoming fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2019.

Dallas County has received five grants for various projects coming up.

ArtsRevive received $4,600 for their Alabama 40th Tale Tellin’ Festival.

The Blackbelt Benefit Group received two grants. One grant was for 100 Drummers Drumming project for $1,970 and an Art Jam event for $2,870.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee received $1,000 to help with a music and storytelling workshop.

The Selma Art Guild also received $1,000 to help fund a part-time staff position.

The Council makes grants to non-profit organizations, schools, universities, cities, and a wide range of community groups. ASCA funds are matched by contributions from businesses, individuals, local government and earned income by the grantee. Arts programs, assisted by Council grants, have a track record of contributing to community development, education, cultural tourism and overall quality of life in virtually all regions of the state.

The recent grants are in response to applications submitted under the June 1deadline and represent the second round of grants awarded in the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Joel Daves IV of Mobile chairs the 15-member Council. Board members are appointed for 6-year terms by the Governor to help promote the arts statewide. A primary responsibility of the Council is to make decisions on grants awarded to support art programs and arts education throughout the state. Board members are selected from all regions of the state in order to strive for a geographic spread representing all areas of the state.

“The Council is pleased to support educational groups, community organizations and various arts institutions with these recently approved grants. Funds awarded through the Council’s granting process provide a better education for students, enhancement for Alabama’s Creative Economy and quality of life for all Alabamians,” said Al Head, the Executive Director of the Council.

The Alabama State Council on the Arts is the official state arts agency of Alabama. The staff of the Council, directed by Head, 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.

For more information about a particular grant, contact Barbara Reed, Public Information Officer at 334-242-4076, ext. 223.