The Texas Commission on the Arts awarded more than $11.5 million to arts programs across Texas. Six grant winners are Abilene organizations.
The TCA approved $124,459 in a variety of grants to local Abilene arts organizations and nonprofits.
Anina Moore, TCA director of artist services and communications, says the commission is aiming to provide support to local arts economies after facing so many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The last couple of years have required arts organizations to be incredibly flexible. There have been cancellations, there have been reschedulings. What we’re really hoping this round of grants brings is a greater sense of normalcy."
The Center for Contemporary Arts applies for TCA grants every year. Rebecca Bridges, the Center’s executive director, says the money from an economic development grant called the Arts Respond Project, will mostly help them market and revamp the monthly downtown Art Walk. “That is the mission of Art Walk, is to promote economic development in our downtown area through the promotion of the arts.”
In addition to the Center for Contemporary Arts, other local groups receiving funds are the Abilene Community Theatre, the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the Abilene Philharmonic Association, Chorus Abilene, the Grace Museum and the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature.