NORWICH – The Chenango Arts Council in Norwich is slated to receive $172,000 in grant funding to help maintain programs and operations through 2015.

More than $36 million in grant awards were announced by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) last week to be disbursed among 1,242 nonprofit arts organizations throughout the state. NYSCA is a state organization established to support the arts, culture and heritage in small communities, and enhance the state’s cultural character.

Two grants were awarded to the Chenango Arts Council this year: a $30,000 grant to support activities such as performancess, gallery exhibitions, technical assistance, regrants, classes and workshops; and a $142,000 grant to fund the Art Council’s Decentralization (DEC) community arts grants program.

The Chenango Arts Council is one of 29 sites in the state that administers DEC grants which are given to artists and nonprofit organizations to help fund projects that embellish arts in the community. The Chenango Arts Council is the administrative site for DEC grants in Chenango, Broome, and Otsego counties.

Chenango Arts Council Program and Development Director Michelle Connelly said the DEC program is essential for fostering arts in the community.