Senator Manchin announces more than $1 million for arts and music initiatives in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — More than $1 million was announced by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin for seven arts and music initiatives in the Mountain State.

$1,121,900 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was announced by Senator Manchin (I-WV), to help expand seven arts and music initiatives throughout the state, as well as helping support the Wheeling Symphony Society and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

West Virginia has a vibrant culture of arts and music, and our entire state is proud of the important role that artists and musicians play in our communities. I’m pleased that NEA is investing more than $1.1 million in these seven programs to support our talented artists as they pursue their passions and enrich West Virginia. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to bolster similar programs across the Mountain State.

Senator Manchin

The awards include:

• $926,900 – West Virginia Division of Culture and History – The funds will help arts programs, services, and activities across the state.
• $75,000 – RiffRaff Arts Collective – The money will go towards creating mixed media recordings for a program that fosters dialogue in Princeton and rural Appalachia.
• $40,000 – West Virginia Humanities Council – The funds will go towards supporting an apprenticeship program within the Council.
• $25,000 – Wheeling Symphony Society – The money will help support the Young People’s Concert Tour in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
• $20,000 – West Virginia Symphony Orchestra – The funds will support a performance and tour across the state.
• $20,000 – Augusta Heritage Center – The money will aid workshops, choirs, classes, and a festival featuring the traditional arts of West Virginia.
• $15,000 – Greenbrier Repertory Theatre Company – The funds will aid theatre production and development in Greenbrier County.

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