Local organizations received funds recently for their part in the arts.

On Nov. 17, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded 44 grants for a total of $252,010 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included six School Residency grants for $17,550, eight Presenter/Production Assistance grants for $22,500, eight Small Towns/Rural Areas grants for $19,605, and 22 Arts & Cultural Heritage grants for $192,355.

SEMAC is the State Arts Board-designated granting authority for local/regional arts producing and sponsoring organizations and disburses funds allocated for this purpose by the Minnesota State Legislature. The SEMAC region includes the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

Grants were awarded to:

Dodge County

• Hayfield Schools Band received a $1,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for HHS Band Commissioning Project “Skirting the Issues.”

Mower County

• Austin Community Band received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Free Concerts in the Park.

• Austin Symphony Orchestra received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Opera Festival.

• Matchbox Children’s Theatre received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Story Stew: A Fairy Tale Revue.

For information about the grant application process, eligibility, or grant writing assistance, information may be found on the website at www.semac.org.