SKANEATELES — The Skaneateles Area Arts Council (SKARTS) announced the 13 winners of its 2021 grant awards for art and cultural activities.

“Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and friends, we were able to provide grants to 13 of the applicants representing a diverse range of worthy projects and important needs,” said Laurel Moranz, president of SKARTS.

The SKARTS 2021 FIX grantees include Auburn Public Theater, John D. Barrow Art Gallery, E. John Gavras Center, Genesee Elementary School, MasterWorks Chorale, Montessori School of The Finger Lakes, Schweinfurth Art Center, Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Skaneateles Historical Society, Skaneateles Library Association, Skaneateles Middle School, The Rev Theatre Company (formerly Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Inc.), and Victoria Fitzgerald Art.

According to Moranz, SKARTS was able to fully fund their grants program this year.

“Our supporters came forward to help us fund the grants program even when we could not hold our art show and reception fund raiser. Everyone recognized that it was more important than ever to support people and organizations who are bringing art and creativity into the life of our community,” Moranz said.

The SKARTS grants program is funded primarily by their annual art show and artists reception, Art4Skarts.

While the event had to be canceled for 2020 and again this year, Moranz reports, that the board is working on ways to raise funds for their grant initiative going forward and will again reach out to sponsors and friends.

Donations can be made to the SKARTS grants program at https://art4skarts.org/support on the SKARTS website.

Since 2006, SKARTS has issued more than 116 grants, contributing to the pursuit of artistic and cultural endeavors in the area. SKARTS grants are awarded to groups and individuals within a 15-mile radius of the village of Skaneateles.

All artists, arts organizations, choral groups, museums, schools, theaters and other not-for-profit organizations committed to the arts were encouraged to apply. Applications were available on the SKARTS website and awards are made by the Board after a judging process conducted by their grants committee.

SKARTS mission is to celebrate the visual, performing and literary arts by creating an environment where cultural activity thrives in our community. SKARTS is a not-for-profit organization. For more information about SKARTS, visit the website at art4skarts.org.