WASO, Friends of the Auditorium receive SMAC grants

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council board voted on Aug. 26 to award $129,666 in grant funds to 19 organizations, $7,600 to two schools, $3,968 to four individual artists and $1,000 to two students.

Fourteen organizations were awarded SMAC Art Project grants. The Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra was awarded $8,000 for its November 2025 concert, "Classical Treasures", featuring orchestral masterworks, a narrated piece, "Bremen Town Musicians" by conductor Cristopher Stanichar,  and favorite holiday tunes.

Additionally, five organizations were awarded SMAC Quick Support for Organization grants. Friends of the Auditorium was awarded $2,500 for hiring local musicians to perform in the Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center lobby area both before each performance series show and during each intermission.