These 150 groups and artists received grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts for 2023

This month, the Alabama State Council on the Arts awarded 181 grants totaling $1,266,000 to 150 organizations and individuals across the state.

“The Council on the Arts is pleased to support educational groups, community organizations, and arts institutions with these grants,” said Council chair Henry Panion, III, PhD (Birmingham). “Funds awarded through our granting process strengthen cultural expression and enhance Alabama’s creative economy.”

Some of this cycle’s grants which cover from January 1 to September 20, 2023 include:

• Alabama Folklife Association – Mobile – Documenting Jewish Folklife in Alabama 
• Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation – Talladega – Music Matters
• Auburn University – Auburn – Expanding Arts Programming Inside Alabama Prisons
• Black Belt & Central Alabama Housing Authority – Selma – Black Belt Gospel Festivals and Arts Programs
• Wiregrass Blues Society – Dothan – Blues-in-Schools
• Sidewalk Film Festival – Birmingham – Annual Sidewalk Film Festival 2023
• The Coleman Center for the Arts – York – Downtown York Art Walk
• The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Association – Montgomery – Fitz Tales: The Stories of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald
• Huntsville Botanical Garden – Huntsville – Origami in the Garden

Check out the entire list of grantees — HERE

20 Apprenticeships

Along with grants to organizations, Folk Arts Apprenticeships were awarded to 20 individual artists. The apprenticeship program is designed to preserve and pass on Alabama’s traditional arts. The grants are presented to artists so they can teach their skills to students and apprentices. 

Among the grant recipients this year are artists working in craft traditions including: 

• Quilting
• White oak basketry
• Chair caning
• Flute making and pottery
• Performance traditions such as Old-time fiddling, Greek folk dancing, Bodhran (Irish drumming), and gospel quartet singing. 

“We are steadfast in promoting arts organizations at the forefront of creative thinking and innovation, as well as the traditional cultural arts that are an important part of our shared history,” said Council on the Arts executive director Elliot Knight, PhD.

Next Round

The next grant application deadline is March 1, 2023, for individual artist fellowships and grants for planning, design, and construction of arts facilities. The application portal opens on January 3, 2023. The next deadline for organizations to apply for funding for projects is June 1, 2023 with the application portal opening on April 1, 2023. 

For more information about the Alabama State Council on the Arts, visit arts.alabama.gov.

What do you think of the latest 2023 grantees? Who is your favorite organization? Tell is on social media by tagging us at @bhamnow