The US National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently awarded grants valued at more than US$1.4 million to communities across the nation, as part of the agency's program, 'Challenge America: Community Arts Development'. The Arts Development program supports projects which focus on the development of cultural tourism and cultural districts, civic design and community cultural plans. Organsations in 47 states and the District of Columbia received grants for projects which were deemed as enhancing and integrating the arts more fully into their communities. Each project is also said to represent a partnership between a non-profit arts organisation and other community organisations, such as schools, convention and visitor bureaus, economic development agencies and libraries. 'These Challenge America grants support communities nationwide in their efforts to cultivate and celebrate their artistic heritage, and to provide greater access to the arts for residents and visitors alike,' commented Senior Deputy Chairman of the NEA Eileen B Mason. A full list of grant recipients are available online at: www.arts.endow.gov/learn/02grants/CAD.html