District 518 chosen for Southwest Minnesota Arts Council grant

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Board of Directors recently voted to award $65,144 in grant funds to 11 organizations, one school and one individual artist.

Among the grant recipients was Worthington's District 518, which received a $1,250 Arts in the Schools grant for commissioning a multi-leveled band piece by award-winning composer Erica Svanoe that will represent their community and allow band students in grades 5 through 12 to perform together in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the band program.

Among the organizations receiving Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Equipment and Facilities Improvement Grants were: Al Opland Singers of Pipestone, $10,000 for wall repair and repainting of their performance, backstage, and reception spaces; the Pipestone Performing Arts Center, $2,838 for upgrading its backstage communication system with new wireless belt packs and headsets; and the Calumet Players of Pipestone, $7,917 for purchasing special effects supplies and a scissor lift, and repairing and modifying a trap door.