Olympia’s performing arts center receives more than $25,000 in grants

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts has been awarded four grants in the last month totaling more than $25,000, the center announced on Monday.

The National Endowment for the Arts awarded the center a $10,000 Challenge America grant, part of more than $27.6 million awarded in the NEA’s first funding round for fiscal year 2016.

The funding will provide free and reduced-price tickets to underserved populations for performances by the Wellington Ukulele Orchestra, the Portland Cello Project and Kahulanui. Additionally, it supports a Portland Cello Project daytime student matinee and outreach to four Thurston County Boys & Girls Clubs, as well as a Kahulanui outreach performance in a local elementary school.

The Tulalip Tribe also awarded $2,500 to the center for its reduced-price and free ticket programs, which give access to students, youth and social service organization clients who could not otherwise afford to attend live theater and music.

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound awarded the Washington Center $8,000 to help the center maintain affordable rental rates.

And the Nisqually Tribe awarded $5,000 to the center to support its Creative Connections program, which encompasses its education and community outreach programs.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 9:46 PM with the headline "Olympia’s performing arts center receives more than $25,000 in grants."