Five Pike County non-profit organizations received grant funding from the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) at its September meeting in Alexander City.

The grant awards were announced by Albert Head, ASCA executive director.

The Brundidge Historical Society, Troy Arts Council, Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center, Pioneer Museum of Alabama and Troy University were awarded matching grants totaling $28,250.

“We are very thankful and pleased that the state arts council has seen fit to help us bring Alabama supreme storyteller, Kathryn Windham, back to the We Piddle Around Theater, especially to entertain the people of this area with a different facet of her storytelling, her Christmas stories,” said Lawrence Bowden, Brundidge Historical Society president. “We are appreciative that the state arts council continues to support the Brundidge Historical Society. Their support validates that our endeavors are worthwhile in bringing the arts to this area.”

Richard Metzger, Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center, executive director, said the grant funds his organization received will go a long way in continuing to bring artistic programming to the Pike County community through the Johnson Center for the Arts and the Cultural Arts Complex.

“These funds are important, not just for us, but for the other arts entities,” he said.

“We are fortunate to have a state arts council that understands the needs of these cultural arts organizations and the hard work that goes into bringing good programs to Pike County. We are very appreciative of the state arts council’s support of what we do.”

The grants that the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center received will be used to support an “Arts in the Curriculum Teachers Workshop” and in the moving forward of the Center’s strategic plan.

The Troy Arts Council was awarded two programming grants, one for the Rose Ensemble concert in January and the other for a clinic for area high school musicians by the Dallas Brass in February.

Dr. William Denison, TAC president, said he was very pleased with the state arts council’s response to his organization’s application.

“This will really help in a long way with our outreach program that affects students as well as the general public,” he said.

“We are very appreciative that the Alabama State Council on the Arts saw fit to fund our programs.”

Jerry Peak, Pioneer Museum of Alabama director, said the grant funds that the museum received are especially needed in these difficult economic times.

The funds will be used in support of the museum’s annual Pioneer Days, which provide hands-on history opportunities for students as well as demonstrations of old-time crafts and skills for the general public.

The Long School of Music at Troy University received funding for its opera production, “Noah’s Flood.”

The ASCA awarded 179 grants totaling $2,155,865 for project scheduled Oct. 1, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2010.

Operating support grants for larger institutions were included in the round of grants. According to Head, the grants were awarded as a result of a very competitive process and only the highest ranked applications were funded.

“The state arts council is appreciative of everything these organizations are doing to enhance the cultural environment in Alabama,” Head said.

“The Alabama State Council on the Arts is proud to be able to support these activities through our grants program.”