Art students at Midway Middle School had an opportunity of a lifetime last year, when Haliwa-Saponi tribe member Senora Lynch spent a week sharing her love and passion for art.

This experience was part of an artist residency project presented through the Sampson Arts Council and the Grassroots Grant from the N.C. Arts Council. Grant applications for similar opportunities are now being accepted through Sept. 19.

Lynch was invited to work with the eighth grade art students for one week last year, teaching them about making pottery. Midway Middle art teacher Leslie Allen, who jumped at the opportunity when asked, said the grant made this possible for her students.

“I would have loved to have had an opportunity like this when I was a child,” Allen said.

According to Kara Donatelli, the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences since 1977.

Using a per capita based formula, the program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state through partnerships with local art councils. The Sampson Arts Council serves as the NC Arts Council’s partner in awarding subgrants to local organizations for arts programs in Sampson County.

The grants are available to non-profit organizations whose purpose is to promote and develop diverse cultural arts programming in Sampson County. Projects must occur between July 1, 2017 and May 30, 2018. Typically, the grants are not awarded to arts organizations that receive funding through the North Carolina Arts Council’s State Arts Resources.

Application forms and grant guidelines are available on the Sampson Arts Council’s website at www.sampsonarts.net or may be picked up at the Victor R. Small House at 709 College Street in Clinton. Call 910-596-2533 to arrange a time to stop by. The Sampson Arts Council will also mail applications upon request. Applications must be received no later than Sept. 19 by 5 p.m.

The Sampson Arts Council is also hosting a Grassroots Arts Program Grant Workshop to assist interested applicants in preparing competitive grants on Tuesday, Aug. 22, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Victor R. Small House, 709 College St., Clinton. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Grant applications are evaluated by a diverse panel of community members and voted on by the Sampson Arts Council Board of Directors. Awards will be announced in October. For questions or more information contact Donatelli at 910-596-2533 or [email protected].

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Haliwa-Saponi tribe member Senora Lynch was invited to work with art students at Midway Middle School as part of the Sampson Arts Council and a Grassroots Grant funded by the North Carolina Arts Council.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_SenoraLynch.jpgHaliwa-Saponi tribe member Senora Lynch was invited to work with art students at Midway Middle School as part of the Sampson Arts Council and a Grassroots Grant funded by the North Carolina Arts Council.

By Kristy D. Carter

[email protected]

Reach Kristy D. Carter at 910-592-8137, ext. 2588. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd. Like us on Facebook.