Baltimore arts groups receive more than $2.5 million in NEA grants

Nine Baltimore arts groups, including the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Artscape, have received a total of nearly $2.53 million in grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The grants, announced Wednesday, included $100,000 for the BSO, $80,000 for the BMA and $45,000 for Artscape, Baltimore's free annual arts festival, which is scheduled this year for July 18-20.

"These NEA-supported projects will not only have a positive impact on local economies, but will also provide opportunities for people of all ages to participate in the arts, help our communities to become more vibrant, and support our nation's artists as they contribute to our cultural landscape," said NEA acting chairwoman Joan Shigekawa.

Other area arts groups receiving grants included the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation ($1.5 million), Maryland State Arts Council ($704,600), Young Audiences of Maryland ($25,000), Baltimore Museum of Industry ($20,000), Lyric Foundation ($12,500) and Maryland Institute College of Art ($10,000).

In all, the NEA announced $74.85 million in 971 grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide.