Grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts is giving a boost to the Surprise area.

The Arizona state agency awarded four grants for a total of $53,650 recently as part of a greater award of $2.9 million in support of nonprofit arts organizations, festivals, and arts learning programs throughout the Valley.

Three local groups earned Creative Capacity Grants, which provide general operating support to arts and culture organizations of all sizes whose primary mission is to produce, present, teach or serve the arts.

WHAM Art Association was granted $21,350, while the West Valley Arts Council was awarded $17,500. The Vista Center for the Arts was granted $9,800 for its programs.

Meanwhile, the Dysart Unified School District was awarded $5,000 for a Festival Grant.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts said 280 organizations were awarded Creative Capacity Grants this year in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $57,500.

Grants are awarded based on the organization’s size and its application’s performance in the competitive review process.

The number of organizations applying for Creative Capacity Grants increased 21% over last year, from 238 to 288.

Festival Grants support organizations in their efforts to provide quality arts and cultural programming through community festival activities. Grant awards range from $2,500 to $5,000.