The Cultural Arts Center at Cherokee Central Schools was awarded $9,000 from the N.C. Arts Council to bring the John Brown Jazz Orchestra to the campus. Last week, the John Brown Jazz Orchestra, was presented to grades 3-12 at Cherokee Central Schools.
The John Brown Jazz Orchestra performs last week at the Cherokee Central Schools Cultural Arts Center. (Photo courtesy of Yona Wade/Cherokee Central Schools)
“This was a great opportunity” said CAC Dir. Yona Wade. “Without funding from the N.C. Arts Council, it would be impossible for us to present the John Brown Jazz Orchestra to our students. These funds have allowed us the opportunity to broaden our student’s horizons, exposing them to art forms they may never again have an opportunity to experience”.
“The support of our grants program by the General Assembly during these economically challenging times demonstrates the role the arts play in our economy and our quality of life,” said Mary B. Reagan, executive director of the N.C. Arts Council. “Nonprofit arts organizations employ workers, stimulate commerce, generate tax revenues and help communities retain their vibrancy.”
More than 13.6 million people participated in N.C. Arts Council-funded projects last year in schools, senior centers, museums, concert halls and community centers. Nearly 4.3 million of theses were children and youth.
The N.C. Arts Council awards grant money each year to provide diverse arts experiences for citizens in all 100 counties of North Carolina. In fiscal year 2010-11, the Arts Council is expected to distribute $7.4 million in state and federal funds to arts organizations, schools and other nonprofit organizations that sponsor arts programs.
The N.C. Arts Council is a division of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural and economic future. Information on Cultural Resources is available at www.ncculture.com.
– Cherokee Central Schools
