On May 15, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded 42 grants for a total of $241,465 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included 20 arts and cultural heritage grants for $180,295, 12 presenter/production assistance grants for $32,220, nine small towns/rural areas grants for $25,950 and one school residency grant for $3,000.

Albert Lea Community Theater received a $3,000 presenter/production assistance grant for set construction for the summer musical “Beauty and the Beast.”

SEMAC is the state arts board-designated granting authority for local/regional arts producing and sponsoring organizations and disburses funds allocated for that purpose by the Minnesota State Legislature. The SEMAC region includes the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.

For more information about the grant application process, eligibility or grant writing assistance, contact the SEMAC office at 2778 D Commerce Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901; or call 507-281-4848. Information may also be found at www.semac.org.