MONROE -- The Union County Community Arts Council has been awarded $51,949 from the NC Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program. This money will be used to fund various cultural arts programs and subgrants in Union County.

Among the cultural arts programs and services funded this year will be Summer Performing Arts Camp, Doug Helms Memorial Art Show, Union County Student Artist Showcase and the Union County Community Arts Council’s Signature Event. Arts organizations in Union County receiving funding includes the Union Symphony Society, Union County Youth Ballet, Union County Performance Ensemble, Learn With Laughter the Union Chorale and the Storefront Theater.

“The support that the Union County Community Arts Council is able to provide for arts groups and individuals is of direct benefit to the residents of Union County”, said Barbara Faulk, executive director. “In these economically challenging times, we continue to make the arts accessible to all people and continue to enhance arts in education in every way possible.”

More than 40,000 Union County residents participated in Union County Community Arts Council - funded projects last year in schools, senior centers, daycare centers, galleries, concert halls and community centers. Nearly 20,000 were children and youth.

The NC Arts Council awards grant money each year to provide diverse arts experiences for citizens in all 100 counties in North Carolina.

To learn more about the Union County Community Arts Council, visit www.unionarts.org or call (704) 283-2784.