Monmouth arts council announces 2007 awards The Monmouth County Arts Council (MCAC) announced its Local Arts Program Grant Awards for Fiscal Year 2007 at a special networking event for MCAC members on Sept. 13 at the Holmdel Theatre Company, Holmdel. The grants will go to local nonprofit arts organizations for a wide range of art exhibitions, concerts, dance, theater, film and other arts events throughout Monmouth County. According to a press release, 32 groups submitted grants requesting a total of $490,729. Thirty-one organizations have been awarded grants, three more than last year. These organizations went through a competitive grant process to receive these awards. A panel of arts experts reviewed the grants and made recommendations which were approved by the MCAC Board of Trustees. Recommendations were based on the following criteria: high artistic quality; sound governance, management and operations; financial soundness with evidence of broad support; broad public benefit; accessibility and community interest; and commitment to arts education and promoting understanding and public awareness of the arts. Funds for this grant come through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. MCAC was awarded $186,891 for the Local Arts Program including $124,000 to be regranted, $2,000 to be used for minigrants in 2007 and $60,891 for MCAC's arts programs including the Teen Arts Festival, the Juried Art Show and Sale, State of the Art, the Teen Arts Connection, Arts Education Awards, Community Arts Planning and administration. MCAC also received $10,242 for the last year of the Local Arts Staffing Initiative for the communications director position. The grants include General Operating Support (GOS) for arts organizations, General Program Support (GPS) for other types of nonprofit organizations that have significant arts programs, Special Project Support (SP) for all types of nonprofit organizations, and Technical Assistance (TA). Among the organizations receiving grants are: + The Arcadian Chorale, Matawan, will expand its chorale concerts and outreach throughout Monmouth County and advance the professionalism and excellence of the chorale with more challenging repertory and cross organizational collaborations. GOS award, $4,335. + Brookdale Big Band, Lincroft, will hold three concerts featuring local New Jersey performing artists featuring three different styles of America's indigenous music - jazz, including a swing band, Dixieland, and a jazz group. SP award, $1,000. + Center for Holocaust Studies, Lincroft, will bring "Dear Esther," a theatrical performance on the true story of New Jersey resident Esther Terner Raab who escaped from the Sobibor Death Camp during the Holocaust. SP award, $1,000. + Center Players runs Center Playhouse, Freehold Borough, a 49-seat community theater that holds auditions, rehearsals, meetings, outreach events and performances in downtown Freehold, contributing to the economic vitality of the town. GOS award, $8,271. + Heart of New Jersey Chorus, Marlboro, educates chorus members in the art of barbershop harmony and brings performances to assisted living facilities and other underserved communities. The members work to improve their craft and expand outreach. GOS award, $1,000. + Liberty Oak Chorus, Freehold Township, supports the performance and vocal skills of chorus members. Through the sharpening of vocal presentation and performance, the chorus can achieve more popular access to public venues and events in Monmouth County. GOS award, $2,100. + Manalapan Parks and Recreation supports the Manalapan Battleground Symphony, Prep Orchestras, Summer Concert Series and the May Asian Heritage Festival for the residents of western Monmouth County. GPS award for $3,501. The Monmouth County Arts Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the county by providing resources to support, inspire and foster the growth and development of the arts. For more information visit www.monmouthartscouncil.org or call (732) 212-1890.