On Nov. 19, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) awarded 66 grants to applicants representing ten counties for a total of $335,888 in funding.  This includes 23 Arts & Cultural Heritage grants for $203,442, sixteen Presenter/Production Assistance grants for $38,046, eight Small Towns/Rural Areas grants for $19,115, and eighteen General Operating Support grants to arts organizations for $72,000.

SEMAC activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

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.

Those organizations receiving grants in Mower County include:

• Austin Area Commission for the Arts received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Austin ArtWorks Festival 2020.

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

• Austin Symphony Orchestra received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Chang & Brahms! Concert with Sarah Chang, Violin.

• Matchbox Children’s Theatre received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.

• Summerset Community Theatre received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Mary Rocks Season 53.