More than $3.5 million in grants were awarded to Alabama arts organizations recently. 

These grants are in response to applications submitted to the Alabama Council on the Arts’ annual grant cycle and support projects that occur between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023. Two hundred grants were awarded to 156 non-profit art organizations in Alabama.

The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government.

The National Endowment for the Arts is the only arts funder in the United States – public or private – that provides access to the arts in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. jurisdictions. Each year, thousands of grants are awarded to provide everyone in the United States with diverse opportunities for arts participation.

Without the National Endowment for the Arts, these grants would not be possible.

Through the National Endowment for the Arts programs, art activities are encouraged that rebuild the creative economy and educate the next generation; unite and heal the nation through the arts; and serve the nation’s arts field.

The NEA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups.

The Council on the Arts is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts in Alabama. The council works to expand and preserve the state’s cultural resources by supporting non-profit arts organizations, schools, colleges, units of local government and individual artists. Arts programs assisted by council grants have a track record of enhancing community development, education, cultural tourism and overall quality of life in all regions of the state.

Through the years the Alabama State Council on the Arts has awarded grants to Franklin County Schools, Russellville City Schools, local non-profit arts organizations and colleges. The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council recently received a $5,100 grant for the Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular. This grant will be used for assisting with some of the expenses of the production.

Our local state legislators, Rep. Kiel and Sen. Stutts, are very supportive of these grants.

“Funds awarded through our Alabama/National Endowment for the Arts grant-making process serve as investments in Alabama’s culture, creative economy and quality of life,” said Dr. Elliot Knight, the Council’s executive director. “These grants provide a better education for students, strengthen cultural expression and support lifelong learning through high-quality arts experiences.”