Three area arts organizations were awarded McKnight General Operating Support Grants from the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council Tuesday

The Austin Area Commission for the Arts was awarded $4,000; the Austin Symphony Orchestra was awarded $4,000; and the Matchbox Children’s Theatre was awarded $1,900.

The Southeast Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) is the state’s designated granting authority for local and regional arts producing and sponsoring organizations. The council disburses funds allocated by the Minnesota State Legislature in the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.

Tuesday, SEMAC awarded 11 Original Works and 14 McKnight General Operating Support Grants, for a total of $79,830 in funding to arts organizations in southeastern Minnesota.