Twenty-seven nonprofit organizations from across the Black Belt region of Alabama were celebrated and received a helping hand this Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Selma, Alabama at the Black Belt Community Foundation’s (BBCF) 12th Black Belt Arts Initiative (BBAI) Grants Ceremony. The awards ceremony was heldat at the Selma-Dallas County Library, Selma, Alabama. In total, $80,000 was awarded to variety of area museums, community theatres, festivals, and youth organizations offering concentrated arts programs.
Included below is a detailed list across of all grant awardees across the 12 counties.
BBCF President Felecia Lucky stated:
“Through these individual projects, it is anticipated that nearly 22,000 Black Belt residents will be inspired, affected, or touched in some way – whether by taking a local art class, by viewing a musical or theatrical performance, or by visiting a local folk arts festival. Seeing these folks come together, representing all 12 counties and celebrating their impactful, hard work while we honor them and help them to continue to be able to do it, is very inspiring on so many levels!”
BBCF was established in 2004 to support community efforts in the Black Belt that contribute to the strength, innovation, and success of all the region’s people and communities. A partnership formed in 2006 with BBCF, the Youth & Cultural Committee of the Black Belt Action Commission, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA), which established the Black Belt Arts Initiative. The goals of this project are to work in partnership with local community based organizations to forge collaborations with local schools to advance arts education, to document and promote the region’s artistic assets, to assist arts organizations in becoming more efficient and effective and to Provide opportunities for citizens of the Black Belt region to be exposed to and participate in the arts
Since 2006, $1,320,671 has been awarded through BBAI Arts Grants to support various arts activities across BBCF’s twelve-county service area. In total, BBCF has invested over $3.7 million from BBAI Arts, Community and other grants into regional nonprofits, based in and serving Alabama’s Black Belt.
For more information on the Black Belt Arts Initiative, please visit http://www.blackbeltfound.org, or contact BBCF at (334) 874-1126 or HYPERLINK “mailto:info@blackbeltfound.org” info@blackbeltfound.org. All Media inquiries can be directed to DK Harris at 256.592.9153 or HYPERLINK “mailto:dharris887@aol.com” dharris887@aol.com.
The Black Belt Arts Initiative has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment on the Arts.
Bullock- Bullock County Black Belt Community Associates Festival- $3,000 – To support the Bullock County Black Belt Festival which brings performing and visual arts to the citizens of Bullock County
Bullock County Social Justice Foundation – $3,000 – To support the expansion of Chilly’s Ice Cool Band by adding more instruments and equipment to accommodate the students who are on the waiting list for the band
Choctaw – Choctaw County Public Library – $1,500 – To expand the arts education programming to include music and add more visual arts programming to the summer arts programs
Dallas- ArtsRevive CDC – $2,950 – To support the fifth annual Tale Tellin’ in the Schools 2017 by placing storytellers in schools in Selma and Dallas County from October 23-27, 2017
Black Belt African American Genealogical and Historical Society – $2,696 – To create a video presentation of the Pauline Dinkins Anderson Historical Photography Collection for Black History Month 2018.
Orrville Volunteer Fire Department– $1,200 – To support the children’s art making activities and to help with stipends for demonstrating artists at the 15th West Dallas Antique Tractor, Car, Gas Engine and Craft Show
Greene – Bottoms Up Diaper Bank – $1,655 – To support introducing art and literature through the use of picture books to help parents better engage with their children
Greene County Children’s Policy Council – $3,000 – To support the “This is Myne” summer art camp which will provide four art classes in the visual arts to the mentoring programs of the Children’s Policy Council
Imagine Me – $1,500 – To support the program “Imagine Me & You with Paint and Glue” which is a year-long project in the visual arts for the youth of Greene County sponsored by the Foster and Adoptive Parents Association.
Society of Folk Arts and Culture – $3,000 – To support the artists who will be performing at the Black Belt Folk Roots Festival 2017
Hale – Sawyerville Day Camp – $1,500 – To cover the cost of John Scalici’s drumming workshops, art instructors and art supplies for the Sawyerville Day Camp in Greensboro, Alabama
Lowndes – Okra Festival – $3,000 – To support the annual Okra Festival that incorporates the arts, crafts, music and food, focusing on the vegetable okra
Macon – George Washington Carver Commemorative Festival – $1,500 – To support stipends for the performing artists at the GW Carver Commemorative Festival 2017
Too Good For Drugs – $3,000 – To support the To Good for Drugs Photo-Journalism program which teaches photography skills, creative writing and news coverage skills
Marengo – Friends of Gaineswood – $1,500 -To support the traditional arts and crafts demonstrators at Heritage Day 2018
The Sport and Art Society – $1,500 – To support the visual arts section of the S & A Community Initiative. The initiative will serve underprivileged individuals by providing and merging sports and visual arts opportunities
Perry – Marion Perry County Library Association – $3,000 – To provide and promote educational training and enrichment and the perpetuation of traditional arts and crafts and performing arts during the Marion Perry County Public Library’s Camp Doodle
Pickens County – Creative Minds Performing Arts – $3,000 – To support a year-long performing arts/theatre program for the students of Pickens County
Sumter County– Coleman Center for the Arts – $3,000 – To support a one-week, all day interdisciplinary arts program for 25 kids between the ages of 8-18.
Sumter County Fine Arts Council – $2,000 – To subsidize the cost of bringing a chamber ensemble of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for six daytime educational concerts and one evening chamber event to the residents of Sumter and the surrounding counties.
Voices of Triumph – $3,000 – To support a five-day intergenerational visual arts camp that will create awareness and expose the participants of all ages to the many different visual arts mediums and styles
Wilcox County – BAMA Kids – $3,000 – To support the arts and cultural activities during the BAMA Kids summer enrichment program
Camden Community Youth Development Center – $3,000 – To support a six-week summer art camp consisting of music, drama and visual arts for at-risk youth
Lily Baptist Community Center and Youth Development- $1,500 – To support a six-week summer arts program for Pre-K through 12th grade in the performing arts and the visual arts for the youth of Red Creek Community
National Council of Negro Women – Wilcox Section – $3,000 -To support an African and Caribbean film festival that will showcase innovative African films by upcoming African filmmakers. This will be a partnership with AframSouth, Inc. to expand the Tuscaloosa African Film Festival to Wilcox County
Arts Education Grants-
Tuskegee Repertory Theatre – Macon County – $10,000 – To fund rehearsal and production two theatre pieces during the summer 2017 and the winter 2018 time period for audiences young and old.
Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area – Sumter County- $10,000 – To fund the Children’s Patchwork History Project in Sumter County schools. The project integrates Black Belt cultural history and arts with math, science, and storytelling.
The Black Belt Community Foundation’s mission is to forge a collective stream of giving that transforms a 12-county region and connecting those interested in having an impact in our area with the nonprofits that are making a difference today. Founded in 2005 with the idea that those living and working in the Black Belt best knew the area’s challenges and opportunities, the Black Belt Community Foundation actively puts needed resources into the region to make a lasting impact.