The Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona, announced 222 grants to Arizona nonprofit arts organizations, local arts agencies, schools and community organizations.

In total, $1,208,717 was invested through the competitive grant review process for fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016).

The Fountain Hills Theater was awarded a $3,000 grant as part of the program.

“Governor Ducey has spoken of Arizona’s creative sector as a critical part of building the state’s future, pointing to the sector’s tremendous capacity to enrich communities, promote civic pride and contribute to the economic health and competitiveness that make Arizona great,” said Mark Feldman, CEO of Miller Russell Associates in Phoenix and the Arts Commission’s Governor-appointed chairman.

“These grants represent a sound investment in Arizona’s continued growth and vitality.”

Grants were awarded in three categories:

*Community Investment Grants provide operating support to nonprofit arts organizations, local arts agencies and tribal cultural organizations whose mission is to produce, present, teach or serve the arts.

*Arts Learning Grants provide funding for quality projects which support lifelong learning in, through and/or about the arts.

*Festival Grants support organizations in their efforts to provide quality arts and cultural programming through community festival activities.

In accordance with the Arts Commission’s strategic plan and governing statutes, schools and nonprofit arts organizations are awarded grants based on such factors as community investment, quality of programming, fiscal ingenuity and responsible stewardship of public funds.

Grant applications are reviewed within rigorous panel processes which are open to applicants as well as the broader public.