RED BANK — The Monmouth County Arts Council announced its Local Arts Program Grant awards for fiscal year 2009.

The grants will result in over 1,000 highquality, low-cost arts events, including art exhibitions, concerts, dance, theater, film and festivals throughout Monmouth County for children and adults.

Forty groups submitted grants requesting a total of $668,226. Thirty-five were awarded grants totaling $124,500.

According to Executive Director Mary Eileen Fouratt, "The mission of MCAC is to enrich the community by inspiring and fostering the arts. I can't think of a more important way to do this than to support those arts organizations and the passionate and talented people who bring wonderful arts events to the residents of Monmouth County. Especially in these times, we all benefit by having great art experiences close to home that are often free or very low cost, thanks to support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The arts lift our spirits, bring people together and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. "

A record number of organizations went through a competitive grant process to receive the awards. A panel of arts experts reviewed the grants and made recommendations that were approved by the MCAC board of trustees.

Recommendations were based on criteria including artistic excellence, broad public benefit, accessibility to the public, commitment to lifelong learning in the arts, accountability, and financial soundness with broad support. Funds for the grant come through the Local Arts Program of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

The grants include General Operating Support (GOS) for arts organizations; General Program Support (GPS) for other types of nonprofit organizations that have significant arts programs; Special Project Support (SP) for all types of nonprofit organizations; and Technical Assistance (TA).

A limited number of mini-grants of $500 are still available in 2009 for nonprofit organizations for arts programs. For further information on eligibility and criteria, go to www.monmoutharts.org.

Local Arts Program Grant awards:

Arcadian Chorale, Matawan, GOS, $3,622. The chorale provides concerts plus outreach programs and performs a diverse selection of classical music and work to advance the professionalism and excellence of their participants and the enjoyment of their audience.

Arc of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, SP, $1,358. Arc will hold visual art classes for individuals 18 years and older who have a developmental or intellectual disability. Classes will be held at the Red Horse Gallery in the Arc office in the Freehold Raceway Mall, where the work will be exhibited.

The Art Alliance of Monmouth County, Red Bank, GOS, $1,132. The alliance will promote visual arts by nurturing Monmouth County artists and by providing a professional venue for their work at their Red Bank Gallery.

Ballet Company of the Performing Arts Ensemble, Red Bank, GOS $6,413. The company will support young dancers, including youngsters with disabilities, and New Jersey artists with performance opportunities of the highest level of excellence possible.

Bayonet Farm, Holmdel, SP, $1,132. The Sixth Annual Bayonet Farm Arts & Music Festival will provide a venue for artists, sculptors, potters, musicians and dancers.

Black Box of Asbury Park, GOS, $1,000. A multicultural arts incubator dedicated to the revitalization of Asbury Park through the arts and arts education.

Belmar Arts Council, GOS, $2,263. The group holds exhibitions, concerts, workshops and other arts events to support artists and enrich the community.

Brookdale Big Band, Lincroft, SP, $1,000. The band will hold three concerts in 2009 involving New Jersey performing artists. The Summer Music Series is now beginning its 10th season.

Celedon Youth Ensemble, Holmdel, TA, $500. The ensemble preserves and shares the unique beauty of traditional oriental music by educating children and holding concerts of traditional and new musical styles using traditional instruments.

The Center in Asbury Park, SP, $1,320. The Center will hold a communitywide collaborative "face casting" maskmaking project called "Facing HIV/Aids & Homelessness" facilitated by artists. An exhibit of 75 masks will be displayed at Asbury Park public and business spaces in November.

Central Jersey Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, SP, $1,320. The club provides opportunities for economically disadvantaged minority children to showcase their talents through art programs.

Center Players, Freehold, GOS, $6,790. Center Playhouse is Freehold's resident theater company. They produce artistically excellent and socially relevant productions and events, contributing to the economic vitality of the town.

Company of Dance Arts, Red Bank, GOS, $7,545. The company provides children and teens with professional-level dance productions and cultivates an appreciation of dance for people of diverse backgrounds of all ages.

Freehold Latino Festival, SP, $1,509. The festival celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the Latino population with Latino art, music and dance.

Garden State Film Festival, Asbury Park, SP, $13,203. The film festival promotes the cinematic arts and the mediums of film, video and animation in Monmouth County and greater New Jersey.

Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury, GOS, $3,018. The guild provides high-quality creative art exhibits and art education opportunities for artists and the public.

Heart of New Jersey Chorus, Hazlet, GOS, $1,509. The chorus educates chorus members in the art of barbershop harmony and brings performances to assisted living facilities and other underserved communities.

Holmdel Theater Company, SP, $1,000. The company presents thought-provoking theater experiences to Monmouth County residents.

Jazz Arts Project, Red Bank, SP, $5,281. The project presents, performs, educates and preserves the important legacy, influence and role of classic to contemporary jazz through collaborative community outreach efforts.

Jewish Community Center of Monmouth County, Deal Park, GPS, $3,395. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents professionally excellent and artistically/ educationally significant theatrical productions, concerts, films, lectures and other cultural presentations.

Liberty Oak Chorus, Freehold, GOS, $1,660. The chorus preserves four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style for women by performing community concerts.

Middletown Township Cultural & Arts Council, GOS, $5,659. The council provides free and affordable arts activities, events and programs designed to engage the community in the arts and experience its benefits.

Monmouth Civic Chorus, Red Bank, GOS, $12,072. The chorus performs choral works by Baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary composers with professional orchestra and soloists, including masterworks, rarely heard choral treasures, recent compositions and premieres.

Monmouth Conservatory of Music, Red Bank, GOS, $5,281. The conservatory provides high-quality music education programs, performances and community outreach to underserved populations.

Monmouth Festival of the Arts, Tinton Falls, SP, $2,829. The festival is a professionally designed, gallery-style art exhibition and sale that includes an educator's symposium, student art competition, workshops, docent-led tours, children's workshops and art demonstrations.

Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, GOS, $7,545. The museum presents quality art exhibitions and educational programs that enhance and foster the cultural arts in the community, including programs that promote, showcase and mentor New Jersey artists.

Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, Red Bank, GOS, $1,132. MSO brings exciting musical masterworks plus exceptional contemporary composers to the audience.

New Jersey Chamber Singers, Red Bank, GOS, $1,000. The chamber singers will present concerts, workshops for chorus members and a choral music residency project with Point Pleasant High School.

New Jersey State Youth Orchestra, Red Bank, GOS, $4,527. The orchestra has four orchestras as well as educational, community service and enrichment programs. Students learn teamwork, self-discipline and individual expression, contributing to success in school, work and life.

Phoenix Productions, Red Bank, GOS, $4,527. The company provides high-quality theatrical experiences for New Jersey artists and audiences that are affordable and accessible.

Red Bank Rivercenter's StreetLife, SP, $3,395. The outdoor series brings artistic life to the streets of the Red Bank business district throughout the summer to create a festive atmosphere while giving artists the opportunity to perform in front of live audiences.

Revision Theater, Asbury Park, GOS, $3,772. The new professional regional theater company will produce two main stage productions, four cabaret shows and outreach to the community.

Shrewsbury Chorale, GOS, $1,886. The chorale presents concert performances as well as educational and community outreach programs at senior centers, local music festivals, youth and adult workshops, and community summer sings.

Starburst Productions, First Avenue Playhouse, Atlantic Highlands, GOS, $3,395. The company produces theater for all ages in the Bayshore area and provides a venue for local actors, directors and stage crew to share and develop their talents.

Zeybrah, Long Branch, SP, $1,509. Zeybrah produces the Oceans of Rhythm Festival, a family-oriented multimedia festival combining African and Caribbean music, dance, drumming and drama featuring local and international talent, including children and adults.

For further information on the Local Arts Grant Program, visit www.monmouthartscouncil. org or call 732-212-1890.