The arts are an essential expression of Arizona’s vibrant communities and diverse cultures.”

Christina You-sun Park | Arizona Commission on the Arts executive director

The Arizona Commission on the Arts recently announced 369 grant awards totaling $2.4 million, including six recipients in Surprise.

The city of Surprise Arts and Culture division earned the most grant money with a $13,555 award. The WHAM Art Association earned $8,800 from the group, while the West Valley Arts Council roped in $7,380.

A pair of $5,000 awards went to the Creative Aging program with the Sun City Area Interfaith Services and the Dysart Festival of the Arts event.

The Vista Center for the Arts earned $4,200.

Grants were awarded statewide to a diverse array of organizations and programs, from world-class museums to rural arts centers, and spread across the state from Flagstaff’s annual Hopi Art and Culture Festival to Border Fashion Week in Nogales.

“The arts are an essential expression of Arizona’s vibrant communities and diverse cultures,” said Christina You-sun Park, executive director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. “Through the Arts Commission the State invests in a thriving statewide nonprofit arts sector that drives local economies, contributes to the vibrance and livability of our communities, enhances the education of our young people, and promotes the health and well-being of our residents.”

Grants were awarded in four categories:

• Creative Capacity Grants provide general operating support to arts and culture organizations of all sizes whose primary mission is to produce, present, teach, or serve the arts. This year, 276 organizations were awarded Creative Capacity Grants in amounts ranging from $880 to $22,200. Award amounts are based on the organization’s size and their application’s performance in the competitive review process.
• 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. About 62 arts festivals received grants in this round of funding.
• Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants support projects that foster meaningful arts learning experiences in community settings for adult learners of any age.
• Youth Arts Engagement Grants support programs focused on young people ages 24 and under that occur outside of traditional school hours.

Between the two programs, 31 arts engagement programs received grants of up to $5,000.