African Culture Connection Receives Grant From Nebraska Arts Council

African Culture Connection (ACC) is the recent recipient of a $8,386 grant from the Nebraska Arts Council. This will allow the organization to continue offering during-school enrichment programming through spring residencies.

The $8,386 awarded by the Nebraska Arts Council, through an Arts Project Grant, will support African Culture Connection’s during-school hours residencies.  ACC’s artists Charles Ahovissi, Sondra McSwain, LaTryce Anderson, Kimberly McGreevy, Rusheaa Smith-Turner, Audre Ahovissi, Jason Horacek, and Wisdom Gbekobou will go to Druid Hill, Belle Ryan, Pinewood, Catlin, Belvedere, Howard Kennedy, Beveridge Magnet, and Lewis & Clark Schools from January-May, 2016. Working with cooperating teachers, ACC teaching artists will connect their African arts lessons to the curriculum in relevant content areas and facilitate hands-on learning experiences for students.

Nebraska Arts Council’s (www.nebraskaartscouncil.org) mission is to promote, cultivate and sustain the arts for the people of Nebraska. In achieving this purpose, the Nebraska Arts Council provides grants and services to artists, organizations, and communities.

African Culture Connection (ACC; www.africancultureconnection.org) is an organization of professional artists using traditional African dance, music, visual art, and story to encourage students to learn more about the positive contributions African cultures have made to society. Founded by Charles Ahovissi, a professional dancer, drummer, performer, choreographer, stage costume designer, and tailor from Benin, West Africa, their mission is to provide African culture and art experiences for the public.