The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), has announced that it will be awarding $1.7 million through 171 grants. The Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants are aimed at getting people to participate in a wide range of art forms and activities, and enable arts organisations to expand their audiences and strengthen communities. Many of the grant projects are based around populations whose access to the arts is limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. ‘The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to bringing programs of artistic excellence to all Americans. For the first time in NEA history we are now reaching every community in America,’ said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. ‘These Challenge America grants support that goal by helping arts organisations reach new, traditionally undeserved audiences in communities large and small.’ Some Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants project examples include:

Sunburst Foundation of Eureka, Montana -- to support performances and music instruction in K-8 schools in remote, northwest Montana.

Various musicians will visit schools in Trego and Fortine monthly -- to work with classes, and give concerts and demonstrations.

Laredo Centre for the Arts in Laredo, Texas -- to support artist-led visual arts workshops for students in middle school. Six-month sessions include studio lessons in painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture, and tours of exhibitions at the Laredo Centre for the Arts.

Albany Symphony Association of Albany, Georgia—to support A Symphony of Brotherhood, presented in collaboration with the City of Albany in honour of Dr. Martin Luther King. The program will include a performance of African American composer Alexander Miller's "Let Freedom Ring," with narration from King's "I Have A Dream" speech. For a complete listing of the grant recipients, please Click Here For more information on Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants, visit www.arts.endow.gov/