Full Frame Documentary and Cucalorus part of $7.4M bestowed

RALEIGH--Durham's Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and Wilmington's Cucalorus were two of the more than 350 arts programs and projects from across North Carolina that will divide $7.4 million in N.C. Arts Council grants for the coming year, the state announced Monday (August 9).

The grants, distributed by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, are designed to support arts organizations and artists who contribute to the economic, educational and cultural vitality of local communities throughout the state.

Funds appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly along with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts will provide 354 grants for organizations and artists across the state. Grants range from $2,500 to $216,565 for organizations.

In announcing the grants, NC Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Linda A. Carlisle underscored the impact of the grants to North Carolina's economy and creative industry.

"These grants help bring arts experiences like music, theater, and dance to communities everywhere, and support lively arts in education and afterschool programs," said Secretary Carlisle. "They insure that North Carolina's strong base of jobs in the creative industry is maintained and that our arts organizations remain vibrant and stable."

Secretary Carlisle added that the grants are catalysts for corporations, foundations and individuals to invest in the arts in their local communities. "Almost $17 is returned in matching funds for every grant dollar and that's a good investment model for any industry," Carlisle said.

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival received $44,094 as a state arts resource and the Cucalorus Film Festival received a total of $16,000 for a new realities program and artistic support for a film festival.  Charlotte's "The Light Factory", one of only four museums in the U.S. for photography and film, also received funds are part of the grant program.