Scarton: Arts organizations get aid from state commission

Arts get a helping hand…

Six local non-profit arts organizations have been awarded a total of $77,200 to carry out their programs.

They are Center for the Arts of Greater Manassas/Prince William ($30,400 for general operating support); Manassas Ballet Theatre ($24,200 for general operating support); City of Manassas ($5,000 for government challenge grant); Prince William County ($5,000 for government challenge grant) Prince William Symphony Orchestra ($2,900 for general operating support); and Youth Orchestras of Prince William County ($9,700 for general operating support.)

The funding was supplied by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

In a letter to Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Manassas, Executive Director Peggy J. Baggett said “The Commission has awarded these grants in your district for 2009-2010. These grants provide operating support for non-profit arts organizations, support artist residencies in the schools and encourage local governments to set up their own funding programs for the arts.”

She said the current economy is presenting many challenges for Virginia arts organizations, but the quality of their work and service to the community remains high.

With the support of the General Assembly, the commission helped to make possible 39,943 arts events for the public last year, with a combined attendance of 7,720,135 people — of them, more than 1.9 million were children.

Colgan was also informed that the Virginia Aviation Board has awarded a grant for capital improvements to the Manassas Regional Airport. It is for $67,112 for Taxiway “K” and Westside Taxilane paving.

“We are pleased to be able to provide this financial assistant to the airport, which we believe is an important component of the Commonwealth’s statewide transportation system as well as an important contributor to the region’s overall economic development,” said Department of Aviation Director Randall P. Burdette in a letter to Colgan.

The grant is part of the Commonwealth Airport Fund Capital Improvement Program.

The seventh annual Chess Tournament will take place Aug. 15 at the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas.

Registration will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. with play to begin at 11 a.m. and continue through 3:30 p.m. Entry fee for fun section is $8 before Aug. 12 and $12 after that. The entry fee for the USCF tournament is $25 before Aug. 12 and $35 after that. Chess experts will be on hand to conduct demonstrations and give pointers. Cash prizes of $800 are guaranteed.

Those interested can register online at www.harrispavilion.com or call 703-361-9800 for additional information. All levels of players are welcome.

Entries are also being sought for the Chili Cook-off on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the pavilion. There will be three divisions —restaurant cooks, home cooks and nonprofit groups. Cooks may enter one or all three categories with ribbons awarded in each … Best Chili with Beans, Best Chili without Beans, and HELP, my mouth is on fires with HOT chili.

Members of the Washington Redskins Marching Band will once again be the judges. New this year will be live entertainment by a long-time local band, “Backporch.” Cooks must meet fire marshal and health department requirements.

To get an application, go to www.harrispavilion.com or call 703-361-9800 for more information.

Also planned at the Pavilion is the Old World Festival on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with food, music and art from Greece, Eastern Europe, Russian and Lebanon.

Admission is free.