Kentuck Art Center Approved For $10K NEA Grant

NORTHPORT, AL — Kentuck Art Center on Tuesday announced it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to receive a $10,000 Challenge America grant.

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The art center says the funding will support Kentuck’s Boxes of Joy — a program that provides art supply kits and additional arts instruction to youth in Tuscaloosa and Northport who are considered economically disadvantaged or incarcerated.

“Kentuck’s Board of Directors and staff members are thrilled to be able to continue and expand Boxes of Joy,” Kentuck Art Center Executive Director Amy Echols said. “Kentuck is grateful for such wonderful partnering organizations in our community, and we’re looking forward to improving accessibility to the arts for our youth.”

The grant received by Kentuck represents one of 262 Challenge America awards, totaling $2.62 million.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support arts projects in communities nationwide,” NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson said. “Projects such as this one with Kentuck Art Center strengthen arts and cultural ecosystems, provide equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, and contribute to the health of our communities and our economy.”

Kentuck Art Center plans to use the funding to partner with several organizations throughout the community, including Northport Housing Authority, Tuscaloosa One Place Extended Day Program at Matthews Elementary, and the Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention Center.

Kentuck says the partnerships will result in craft kits delivered to over 200 children, ages 5-21.

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