ARTS GRANTS AWARDED IN THE 17^TH DISTRICT

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 13 – State Sen. Connie Williams noted that there is something for everyone when it comes to the rich offerings of the arts in the 17^th District.

 "Whether it is through music, the written word, visual arts or performing arts, there is an opportunity for everyone to express their talent, or to enjoy the expressions of other talented artists in the area," Williams said. "You really need look no further than your own backyard to find these opportunities."

 Recently, grant awards for 2007-08 of the 5-County Arts Fund program were announced by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. A number of those grants were awarded in the 17^th District.

 Grants were awarded to the following:

• First Friday Main Line -- $1,688

• Greater Norristown Society for the Arts -- $1,142

• Renaissance Artist Puppet Co. -- $1,536

• Theatre Horizon -- $1,861

 The 5-County Arts Fund is a Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, as well as by PECO, An Exelon Company. Some of the Montgomery County projects also are funded in part by an appropriation from Montgomery County.

 The next round of grant applications for projects taking place between Sept. 1, 2008 and Aug. 31, 2009 will be due on June 30, 2008. Applications are now available from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Applications are available online at www.philaculture.org under the subject heading of "Grantmaking."