NORWICH – The Chenango County Council of the Arts recently announced the allocation of $71,481 in cultural funding to 53 non-profit organizations through the Broome, Chenango & Otsego Decentralization (DEC) Grant Program. An additional $10,000 for the Broome County DEC Program was provided by The Stewart W. and Willma C. Hoyt Foundation, bringing total funding to $81,481.

In addition to the grant awards, a presentation of the Russell J. Perlman Award of Excellence was made to The Norwich Theater Company for proposing the “Most Outstanding Project” in Chenango County for 2011. An awards ceremony took place at the Martin W. Kappel Theater, Norwich, on Thursday, March 24.

The Broome, Chenango & Otsego DEC Program serves as a catalyst for local cultural development exposing children, adults and seniors to events that enrich, educate and enhance their lives. Funding provided through these programs has helped to strengthen our communities by reaching the most rural of our townships and villages, providing increased access to a greater quality of life. The DEC Program operates annually and panel nominations are accepted on a rolling basis. For additional information, call the Arts Council office at 336-2787 or visit www.chenangoarts.org.

Congratulations to the following 2011 grant recipients:

Chenango County:

Afton Community Theater – $2,146

Afton Historical Society– $550

Afton Village– $500

The Christian Neighborhood Center of Norwich, Inc./The Place – $,2500

City of Norwich – $1,600

Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Inc. – $2,500

Coventry Town Museum Association– $750

Guernsey Memorial Library – $1,500