(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams today presented a symbolic check for $4.5 million to DC artists and arts organizations representing the increased funding available for grants in FY 2006 for Washington’s cultural community. This amount is a substantial increase over previous years and allows the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities to provide financial support to approximately 400 artists and arts organizations through its competitive grant programs.

The funding awards will support public performances, arts in education and other cultural enrichment activities. The average grant awards were $12,000 for arts organizations and $4,700 for individuals. Arts and culture are the second leading industry for the city behind tourism, generating an impressive $1.4 billion for the District’s economy each year.

“The work of artists enriches the quality of life for District residents and adds to the cultural experiences available to Washington’s visitors,” said Mayor Williams. “This additional funding allows us to reach out to previously underserved areas of the city and to populations like the homeless and the disabled.”

Following is a list of the organizations and individuals awarded funding support for FY 2006:

Organizations

African Continuum Theater Company African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, Inc. Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. Anacostia After Hours Gracious Arts Program Art Enables Bead Society of Greater Washington Capitol Hill Arts Workshop Cathedral Choral Society of Washington, DC Center for Inspired Teaching (Center for Artistry in Teaching) CentroNia Choral Arts Society of Washington City Arts Inc. City at Peace, Inc. CityDance Ensemble, Inc. Community Help In Music Education (CHIME) Covenant House Washington Cultural Development Corporation of the District of Columbia

DC Blues Society DC's Different Drummers Dance Institute of Washington DC Scores DC Wheel Productions, Inc./Dance Place Eastern Choral Society/H.S.Choir Educational Video in Spanish Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital Fillmore Arts Center Folger Shakespeare Library Friendship Public Charter Schools Grupo de Artistas Latinoamericanos Holy Christian Missionary Baptist Church for All People Ideal Academy Public Charter School International Capoeira Angola Foundation International Child Art Foundation Joy of Motion Dance Center, Inc.