The Charles County Arts Alliance (CCAA) recently awarded Arts in Education grants to five Charles County public schools to support programs such as concerts and theatre performances, art presentations, workshops, musical competitions and literary development. Grants were awarded to Henry E. Lackey, Thomas Stone and Westlake high schools, and J.C. Parks and Malcolm elementary schools. The grants are part of the CCAA’s Arts Grants Program, and more than 20 organizations, including these schools, received funding that totaled more than $43,000.
Schools and organizations interested in applying for grant funding must complete an application. The goal of the annual program is to enhance Charles County’s culture and to help provide community members with opportunities to learn about diverse and unique arts programs in the area. All schools that received grants received the amount requested on their application. Thomas Stone and Westlake received $750 grants. Lackey received a grant for $500 and Parks received a $625 grant. Malcolm received a $350 grant.
The grant award ceremony was held in November at the Old Waldorf School as part of the organization’s Annual Grantee and Membership Gala. Since 1987, the CCAA has provided more than $600,000 in grant funding to schools and organizations to support their performing and visual arts programs. Application information for the Arts in Education program is available on the CCAA website at http://charlescountyarts.org/.
Earlier this school year, the Alliance also awarded four 2014 Charles County Public Schools graduates with $1,000 scholarships to help them pursue studies in visual, performing or literary arts programs. They are Maryn Fuller and Monica Garza from Lackey, Carl McManus from Westlake and Tessa Norman from Maurice J. McDonough High School. The organization also supports an annual school supply donation drive to benefit elementary-school students.