For Immediate Release: July 2, 2008 Elaine Mariner, elaine.mariner@state.co.us, 303-892-3870 Council on the Arts Announces Grant Awards to Artists, Organizations and Schools Over $1.3 million awarded to support arts and culture activities in 36 counties

DENVER (July 2, 2008). The Colorado Council on the Arts (CCA) announces 133 awards totaling $1,325,075 to individuals, organizations and schools in 36 counties. The awards are made in two categories: Grants to Artists and Organizations supports arts and cultural activities that make the arts more accessible to all Coloradans, expand access to quality arts education for young people, support tourism and economic development, preserve and promote our cultural heritage and strengthen arts-related businesses. The new Success Through Art (StART) Schools grant program helps schools and districts create an arts-rich curriculum, where students not only acquire knowledge and skills in the basic arts disciplines, but also apply that understanding to learning in other core subject areas, ultimately increasing the relevance of their education and supporting their academic success.

The awards are for activities to take place between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. For a full description of funded activities, go to www.coloarts.org and click on Grants --> Recent Grants and select 2009 Grants to Artists and Organizations.

“These grants support the creative schools, individuals and organizations which are key building blocks to a strong economy,” said Elaine Mariner, executive director of the Council. “Studies show that a vibrant creative economy can attract jobs and workers, and helps prepare our students to be tomorrow’s innovative thinkers. By investing in our state’s creative sector, Colorado reaps the additional benefits of jobs, economic growth, and a quality of life that positions us to compete in the 21st century.”

Because a key requirement of the program is that applicants must show matching funds, the state investment leverages almost $14 million in other financial support from individuals, foundations and corporations. The funded activities will benefit over 2 million Colorado citizens and visitors, involve 11,000 artists, and support 1,000 full-time and part-time jobs in our state.

The mission of the Colorado Council on the Arts is to promote the cultural, educational and economic growth of Colorado through development of its arts and cultural heritage. Funding is provided through an annual appropriation from the state’s Gaming Fund and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

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