Two Nevada Arts Council grants received in Valley

The Nevada Arts Council approved 21 grant awards totaling $13,129 in support of statewide arts and cultural activities in fiscal year 2007.

Awards were given to two Carson Valley organizations and individuals, including, $638 to Carson Valley Community Theatre and $750 to Chinese dance instructor Xian Na (Sonia) Carlson of Gardnerville.

The Carson Valley Community Theatre grant will be used to support the production of "Blackjack Bottom," a country western musical written and directed by a local artist. "Blackjack Bottom" will be performed March 9, 10, 23 and 24 at the Carson Valley Inn. Tickets, $43 for the dinner show and $13 for the matinee, may be purchased at the Carson Valley Inn Gift Shop.

Carlson will use her grant to offer a series of classes in Chinese arts to local children with a culminating performance, presented by the Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department and the Chinese Culture Group, to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Minden Elementary School 1-3:30 p.m. on Feb. 24. Tickets are $6 for ages 5 and older, $5 for seniors and free for children age 4 and younger. For more information call the recreation division, 782-9828.

Statewide, 10 individuals and three organizations received Fiscal Year 2007 Third Quarter Jackpot Grant funding for arts projects and professional development activities scheduled between Jan. 1 and March 31. Eight individuals received Fiscal Year 2007 Third Quarter Better Education Through the Arts grants for projects and professional development in arts education.

For more information on Arts in Education grant awards, contact Gary Margolis, Arts in Education program coordinator, at 687-7119. For information about the grants program, contact Mary Vargas, interim program coordinator at 687-7102.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Nevada Arts Council was founded in 1967 as a state agency charged with developing and promoting the arts in Nevada. Statewide programs include Artists Services, Arts in Education, Community Arts Development, Folklife Program and Grants. The Arts Council supports the work of Nevada artists, arts organizations and institutions and is funded by the Nevada State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and other public and private sources.

The Nevada Arts Council is a division of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The department serves Nevada's citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, preservation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. The department also includes the Division of Museums and History, State Historic Preservation Office, State Library and Archives, Comstock Historic District Commission, Literacy Coalition and the Commission for Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit the department's Web site at www.NevadaCulture.org.