Cultural Arts Foundation Fountain Inn earns SC Arts Commission grant
From The Greenville News
Article by Scott Keeler; photo by MyKal McEldowney
Once again, the Cultural Arts Foundation Fountain Inn (CAFFI) has been awarded a grant by the South Carolina Arts Commission. The latest grant is worth $14,402 for the 2015/2016 fiscal year.
Younts Center for the Performing Arts Director Van Broad said the support allows CAFFI to continue offering quality entertainment and arts education for the Golden Strip and surrounding areas.
CAFFI is an endowment arm of the Younts Center for Performing Arts which was established in order to ensure the Center continues to offer arts entertainment and education.
“The S.C. Arts Commission grant will enable CAFFI to offer arts performances and education for the Golden Strip community and Upstate region of SC for years to come,” Broad said. “This funding helps us achieve our mission of enriching the arts experience for the local neighborhoods and communities in this area.”
Several neighboring companies, organizations and/or individuals are helping CAFFI meet its obligation of matching the Arts Commission grant with local dollars. Those who are supporting the grant project include GrandSouth Bank, Rogers Financial Group, Rich Products, Sharp Business Systems, Greenville Health System, Duke Energy, Michelin, Lack’s Trim, Greenville Heritage FCU and AVX Corporation.
The grant comes one year after CAFFI received a $9,615 grant from the S.C. Arts Commission.
“They’ve (SCAC) been really good to us and we appreciate their partnership,” Broad said. “We couldn’t do it without them or our collaborative partners.”
The grant also comes along as the Younts Center completes portions of its $3.5 million expansion. Broad said that expansion has been made possible through private donations.
Local residents can see how the Arts Commission grant and local funds are benefiting the Cultural Arts Foundation Fountain Inn by visiting the Younts Center during its upcoming 2015-16 season.
This season features artists such as Annie Moses Band, Post Modern Jukebox, The Glenn Miller Orchestra with many others including the Center’s own theatre company in its presentations of Young Frankenstein, A Christmas Story, Our Town, Guys and Dolls, and the orchestra and chorale resident companies.
Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the S.C. Arts Commission has worked to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development.
SCAC is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances.
Image: Fountain Inn’s Younts Center for Performing Arts