Opera House wins state grant

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By DEBBIE BEHRENDS

DEKALB — State Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley, and state Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Sycamore, along with a member of the Illinois Arts Council presented a total of $19,980 in grants to five local organizations last week. The Sandwich Opera House, the Children’s Community Theater, Art Attack School of Art, the DeKalb Park District, and Northern Illinois University all received grants to continue offering fine arts programs for local citizens. “These organizations offer countless cultural opportunities for citizens right here in our local communities,” Pritchard said. “To help keep admission costs affordable while ensuring our local arts organizations continue operating, the Illinois Arts Council offers grants as additional financial support. While funding for these grants has been reduced over the past few years, they are essential to keeping a variety of programs alive in our communities.” Pritchard said he just learned how groups like The Art Attack are collaborating with others, learning to do things differently to continue to enrich lives. “I can’t imagine life without these diversions in our district, our communities and our culture,” Pritchard said. “The entire community benefits from the programs offered by these organizations,” Burzynski said. “Through these grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the state can do its part to promote involvement in the fine arts and foster an appreciation among all ages and groups. “These are tough budgetary times and I don’t know that they’ll lessen anytime soon. I do thank you for the work that you do,” Burzynski said. The lawmakers, along with Karla Kunzeman of the Illinois Arts Council, presented the grants to the five organizations to assist with operating costs and help them continue providing quality visual and performing arts programs. “We tried to get funding restored in the spring,” Kunzeman said. “We know this is a difficult time for all of you.” The grants were awarded as follows: n $4,380 to the Sandwich Opera House for general operating support. n $2,050 to Art Attack School of Art in Sycamore, for general operating support. n $2,160 to the Children’s Community Theater for general operating support. n $940 to the DeKalb Park District for operating support of the Nehring Center Gallery. n $10,450 to NIU for Art Museum operating support. The Illinois Arts Council is a state agency dedicated to assisting artists, organizations, institutions, and communities in developing and enhancing arts programs throughout the state of Illinois. The council is funded by the General Assembly in cooperation with the governor and the National Endowment for the Arts.