Delaware Division of the Arts invests $2.95 Million in the arts sector

Wilmington, Del — The Delaware Division of the Arts is awarding $2.95 million in grants for Fiscal Year 2016, to support 112 arts initiatives throughout the state. Twenty-three communities across Delaware, from Claymont to Selbyville, will receive grants to support arts programming and services, arts education, and related arts marketing and promotion.

“The investment we make in the arts is multiplied through local matching,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “In addition, art contributes to a quality of life that attracts businesses, strengthens education, and positively impacts our state’s economy.”

Division grants support a variety of projects and programs, from storytelling for preschool reading readiness, to community-based participatory arts, to professional exhibitions and performances featuring local, national and international artists. These grants support arts programming offered by both arts and community organizations based in large and small communities across Delaware.

“Delaware’s arts sector continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to engaging communities throughout the state,” reported Division Director Paul Weagraff. “Panelists from across the state deliberated thoroughly and thoughtfully to assist in reviewing and ranking applicants in all grant categories. This input from our constituents helps to ensure that we are supporting arts programming that is of high quality and serves all Delawareans.”

Funding for the Division of the Arts to support arts programming in Delaware comes from the Delaware General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

A complete listing of Fiscal Year 2016 grants can be found at: www.artsdel.org/grants/grantawards2016.pdf.