VENTURA : City Awards Grants for Arts Programs

Grants totaling more than $130,000 to pay for a wide range of artistic programs were awarded to 35 individuals and groups in Ventura on Tuesday.

The city’s office of cultural affairs awarded the annual grants, which range from $500 to $5,000 and are designed to support artists for the creation of new work.

A portion of the funding went to individuals for projects such as murals, orchestral compositions, slide productions and poetry readings. The city also awarded grants for larger organizational projects, including several dance and theater productions.

“The goal is to provide direct resources to nonprofit groups and artists to create an environment in the city where the arts can thrive and grow,” said Sonja Tower, the office’s cultural affairs supervisor.

The funding for these grants comes from the city’s general fund, Tower said.

The largest grants, of $5,000, were awarded to Ventura County Master Chorale for five concerts in downtown Ventura; Ventura College Community Services, to present a concert series focusing on cultural diversity; Inlakech Teatro Theatre Company for production of the third annual Dia de los Muertos cultural celebration in Ventura, and to Hiroko Yoshimoto for the production of an exhibition featuring a multi-generational theme.