On Thursday, July 28, the North Carolina Arts Council announced $6.4 million in grants to arts groups statewide. That's a drop of about $1 million, or roughly 15 percent, compared with last year's grants.
More than $300,000 will go to Forsyth County arts efforts, but several groups will get less money, including the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. That organization's grant for grass-roots arts programs dropped by nearly $10,000 - from about $81,000 to just over $72,000.
Local Arts Council President and CEO Milton Rhodes acknowledged that it's a tough time. He said the organization will now have to look at new ways to raise money, including possibly charging for parking in the lot across Spruce Street from Hanesbrands Theatre. Currently, people can park in this lot for free.
Another source of funds may come from the council's recent acquisition of $700,000 worth of artwork from the corporate collection of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. It plans to sell the art for the benefit of council programs and funded groups. The artwork consists of about 3,000 pieces. The public will be able to view and bid on at least 25 pieces in the collection from August 11 through September 24. The rest of the collection's pieces will go on sale in February.
