South Arts Awards Nearly $350,000 in Arts Grants throughout Region

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For Immediate Release: June 25, 2015

Atlanta – South Arts, a Regional Arts Organization serving nine states in the Southeast, has announced $348,965 in grants to 97 arts organizations throughout the region. These grants, made possible through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, support organizations presenting out-of-state artists for public performances, literary readings and educational activities.

“Thriving arts and culture scenes are crucial to our region’s quality of life and competitiveness across multiple sectors,” explained South Arts executive director Susie Surkamer. “The events and performances we help fund impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents, exposing audiences to diverse artists and artforms.”

The grants cover the nine states in the South Arts region: including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Organizations applied throughout the winter and spring, and were recently notified of their status; grants are matched at least dollar for dollar by the recipient organization.

“Supporting the touring arts is central to our mission,” continued Surkamer. “This year, some of the highlights we are thrilled to support include multi-state tours supporting Aquila Theatre, Cameron Carpenter, Koresh Dance Company, and River North Dance Chicago as well as Southern performing artists like The North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, Wycliffe Gordon, The Branford Marsalis Quartet, Black Violin, and Bent Frequency. Our literary arts grants will introduce audiences to Southern writers and poets such as Jericho Brown, Megan Shepherd, and, during an extended residency at the Link Centre in Mississippi, four additional spoken word artists from our region.”

A full list of South Arts’ grant recipients and programs is available on our website. Organizations interested in applying for the next grant cycle are recommended to sign up for South Arts’ email list and continue to visit their site.

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About South Arts
South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization, was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to address the role of the arts in impacting the issues important to our region, and to link the South with the nation and the world through the arts.

2015-16 Grantees by State:

Alabama

  • Knox Concert Series of Anniston, AL received a $4,290 Regional Touring grant to present Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra.
  • Auburn University of Auburn University, AL received a $765 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Jean Valentine.
  • Alabama Dance Council of Birmingham, AL received a $6,565 Regional Touring grant to present Jessica Lang Dance.
  • Birmingham Museum of Art Members of Birmingham, AL received a $1,490 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Catherine Burns and Tricia Rose Burt.
  • Shelby County Arts Council of Columbiana, AL received a $1,785 Regional Touring grant to present Didgeridoo Down Under.
  • Valley Arts and Entertainment of Huntsville, AL received a $2,110 Regional Touring grant to present Doreen’s Jazz Band New Orleans.

Florida

  • Ruth Eckerd Hall of Clearwater, FL received a $3,530 Regional Touring grant to present The North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble.
  • Broward College – Bailey Hall of Davie, FL received a $6,485 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Koresh Dance Company.
  • Broward Performing Arts Foundation of Fort Lauderdale, FL received a $4,135 Regional Touring grant to present Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
  • University of Florida – Performing Arts of Gainesville, FL received a $4,090 Regional Touring grant to present Raisin’ Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey.
  • University of Florida – Performing Arts of Gainesville, FL received a $6,165 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present River North Dance Chicago.
  • North Florida Community College – Artist Series of Madison, FL received a $3,650 Regional Touring grant to present EBZB Productions, Inc’s War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of World War II.
  • Miami Light Project of Miami, FL received a $2,295 Regional Touring grant to present Kristina Wong.
  • Miami-Dade County – Department of Cultural Affairs (SMDCAC) of Miami, FL received a $6,170 Regional Touring grant to present Streb.
  • Tigertail Productions of Miami, FL received a $1,915 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Art2Action.
  • FUNDarte of Miami Beach, FL received a $5,795 Regional Touring grant to present Companhia Urbana de Danca.
  • The Rhythm Foundation of Miami Beach, FL received a $3,495 Regional Touring grant to present Leiteres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz.
  • Atlantic Center for the Arts of New Smyrna Beach, FL received a $1,935 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Tarifia Faizullah and Stacey Kade.
  • College of Central Florida Foundation – Visual and Performing Arts Department of Ocala, FL received a $5,250 Regional Touring grant to present Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana.
  • Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts of Orlando, FL received a $3,995 Regional Touring grant to present Spencers: Theatre of Illusion.
  • The Artist Series of Tallahassee of Tallahassee, FL received a $3,435 Regional Touring grant to present Carpe Diem String Quartet.
  • Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center – Straz Center for the Performing Arts of Tampa, FL received a $3,975 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Cameron Carpenter.
  • Ballet Vero Beach of Vero Beach, FL received a $3,615 Regional Touring grant to present Chicago Repertory Ballet.
  • Kravis Center for the Performing Arts of West Palm Beach, FL received a $3,975 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Cameron Carpenter.

Georgia

  • University of Georgia – Office of Performing Arts of Athens, GA received a $3,735 Regional Touring grant to present The Julian Bliss Septet.
  • Center for Puppetry Arts of Atlanta, GA received a $3,695 Regional Touring grant to present Barefoot Puppet Theatre.
  • Georgia State University of Atlanta, GA received a $4,395 Regional Touring grant to present Zakir Hussain and the Masters of Percussion.
  • Georgia Tech Research Corporation – Office of the Arts of Atlanta, GA received an $860 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Marc Bamuthi Joseph.
  • JapanFest of Atlanta, GA received a $1,245 Regional Touring grant to present Matsuriza.
  • Seven Stages of Atlanta, GA received a $5,210 Regional Touring grant to present Sean Dorsey Dance.
  • Augusta Symphony of Augusta, GA received a $3,850 Regional Touring grant to present Turtle Island Quartet.
  • Morgan County Foundation – Madison-Morgan Cultural Center of Madison, GA received a $3,670 Regional Touring grant to present Reduced Shakespeare Company.
  • Clayton State University – Spivey Hall of Morrow, GA received a $4,135 Regional Touring grant to present Stefon Harris.
  • Savannah Music Festival of Savannah, GA received a $4,820 Regional Touring grant to present Wycliffe Gordon.
  • Georgia Southern University of Statesboro, GA received a $1,475 Literary Arts Touring grant to present M.K. Asante.

Kentucky

  • Paramount Arts Center of Ashland, KY received a $3,690 Regional Touring grant to present Red Thunder Native Dance Theatre.
  • Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Foundation of Bowling Green, KY received a $1,815 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Ken Waldman.
  • Centre College of Kentucky – Norton Center for the Arts of Danville, KY received a $3,970 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Aquila Theatre.
  • Save the Grand Theatre of Frankfort, KY received a $2,895 Regional Touring grant to present National Players.
  • Clifton Cultural Center of Louisville, KY received a $1,925 Regional Touring grant to present Eric Bibb.
  • Kentucky Center for the Arts Foundation of Louisville, KY received a $6,510 Regional Touring grant to present Parsons Dance Company.
  • Kentucky Center for the Arts Foundation of Louisville, KY received a $415 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Ellen Hagan.
  • Louisville Literary Arts of Louisville, KY received a $370 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Jericho Brown.
  • Murray State University of Murray, KY received a $4,040 Regional Touring grant to present American Shakespeare Center.
  • Lake Cumberland Performing Arts of Somerset, KY received a $4,175 Regional Touring grant to present Kevin Spencer.
  • Lake Cumberland Performing Arts of Somerset, KY received a $6,165 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present River North Dance Chicago.

Louisiana

  • Douglas Manship Sr Theater of Baton Rouge, LA received a $5,945 Regional Touring grant to present Oberlin Dance Collective.
  • Douglas Manship Sr Theater of Baton Rouge, LA received a $3,970 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Aquila Theatre.
  • Acadiana Center for the Arts of Lafayette, LA received a $2,545 Regional Touring grant to present Fred Hersch.
  • Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) of New Orleans, LA received a $2,670 Regional Touring grant to present Troker.
  • Junebug Productions of New Orleans, LA received a $3,910 Regional Touring grant to present Chen Lo.
  • Musicians for Music of New Orleans, LA received a $1,585 Regional Touring grant to present Javier Cabrera.
  • New Orleans Ballet Association of New Orleans, LA received a $6,660 Regional Touring grant to present Che Malambo.
  • New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Institute of New Orleans, LA received a $2,980 Regional Touring grant to present the Fred Hersch Trio.
  • Red River Revel of Shreveport, LA received a $5,090 Regional Touring grant to present Fly Dance Company.

Mississippi

  • Alcorn State University of Alcorn State, MS received a $4,615 Regional Touring grant to present The Branford Marsalis Quartet.
  • Delta State University – Bologna Performing Arts Center of Cleveland, MS received a $6,165 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present River North Dance Chicago.
  • Columbus Arts Council of Columbus, MS received a $1,210 Regional Touring grant to present Andy Offutt Irwin.
  • Delta Children’s Museum of Greenville, MS received a $1,375 Regional Touring grant to present Bits N Pieces Puppet Theatre.
  • Mississippi State University – Riley Performing Arts & Education Center of Meridian, MS received a $3,970 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Aquila Theatre.
  • Harrisburg Cultural and Social Services Center – Link Centre of Tupelo, MS received a $2,100 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Asia Rainey, Asia-Vinae Palmer, Lacey Roop, and Marcus Montgomery.

North Carolina

  • Pack Place Performing Arts – Diana Wortham Theatre of Asheville, NC received a $3,585 Regional Touring grant to present Aquila Theatre Company.
  • Pack Place Performing Arts – Diana Wortham Theatre of Asheville, NC received a $6,485 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Koresh Dance Company.
  • LEAF Community Arts of Black Mountain, NC received a $2,770 Regional Touring grant to present Cedric Watson.
  • The Savvy Organization of Charlotte, NC received a $4,070 Regional Touring grant to present Bent Frequency.
  • Davidson College of Davidson, NC received a $6,055 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Koresh Dance Company.
  • American Dance Festival, Inc. of Durham, NC received a $6,450 Regional Touring grant to present Doug Varone and Dancers.
  • Duke University – Duke Performances of Durham, NC received a $4,560 Regional Touring grant to present Fisk Jubilee Singers.
  • Music for a Great Space of Greensboro, NC received a $1,400 Regional Touring grant to present Helios Trio.
  • United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro – National Folk Festival of Greensboro, NC received a $2,845 Regional Touring grant to present the Pine Leaf Boys.
  • Surry Arts Council of Mount Airy, NC received a $4,295 Regional Touring grant to present Black Violin.
  • Coastal Carolina Chamber Music Festival of New Bern, NC received a $2,380 Regional Touring grant to present Amadi Azikiwe.
  • Pamlico Musical Society of Oriental, NC received a $1,585 Regional Touring grant to present Della Mae.
  • North Carolina State University – Center Stage of Raleigh, NC received a $6,660 Regional Touring grant to present BANDALOOP.
  • Cape Fear Community College – Humanities and Fine Arts Center of Wilmington, NC received a $5,250 Regional Touring grant to present SEOP Dance Company.
  • Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts of Wilmington, NC received a $3,575 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Cameron Carpenter.
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington of Wilmington, NC received a $1,870 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Matthew Neill Null.
  • Wilmington Concert Association of Wilmington, NC received a $5,340 Regional Touring grant to present Rhythmic Circus.
  • Salem Academy and College of Winston-Salem, NC received a $1,785 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Jacquelyn Grant Brown and Patricia Jabbeh Wesley.

South Carolina

  • University of South Carolina -Southern Exposure New Music Series of Columbia, SC received a $4,020 Regional Touring grant to present Argento Chamber Ensemble.
  • Legacy Charter School of Greenville, SC received a $560 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Megan Shepherd.
  • Arts Center of Coastal Carolina – of Hilton Head, SC received a $4,290 Regional Touring grant to present TAYLOR 2.
  • Wits End Poetry of Marietta, SC received a $345 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Amy Christine Parker.
  • Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art of Pawleys Island, SC received a $3,700 Regional Touring grant to present Jeremy Davis and The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra.
  • Rock Hill School District – Northwestern High School Band of Rock Hill, SC received a $2,265 Regional Touring grant to present Kris Berg Metroplexity Big Band.

Tennessee

  • Germantown Performing Arts Center of Germantown, TN received a $5,835 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present Koresh Dance Company.
  • Lane College of Jackson, TN received a $990 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Allison Joseph.
  • Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center of Memphis, TN received a $5,740 Regional Touring grant to present Enra.
  • Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center of Memphis, TN received a $6,165 Regional Touring-Block Book grant to present River North Dance Chicago.
  • Christian Brothers University of Memphis, TN received a $1,975 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Dave Eggers.
  • Literacy Mid-South of Memphis, TN received a $665 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Dana Sachs.
  • Memphis Development Foundation of Memphis, TN received a $5,910 Regional Touring grant to present Contra-Tiempo.
  • Conservancy For The Parthenon & Centennial Park of Nashville, TN received a $4,050 Regional Touring grant to present Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys.
  • Global Education Center of Nashville, TN received a $3,885 Regional Touring grant to present Appalatin.
  • Global Education Center of Nashville, TN received a $2,020 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Rafael Campo.
  • Native American Indian Association of TN of Nashville, TN received a $2,560 Regional Touring grant to present Touch the Earth with Native People.
  • Tennessee Performing Arts Center of Nashville, TN received a $4,270 Regional Touring grant to present Windmill Theatre.