By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The Chilton County Arts Council has received a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

“It’s very competitive,” said Suanne Hoyt, president of the Chilton County Arts Council. “Their stamp of approval is huge.”

The $3,000 grant will be used to help fund the Chilton County Arts Festival in November. Hoyt went to present to the state council about a month ago. Community support and a track record are necessary to earn the grant, and the state council believed that support for the Chilton County Arts Council and its efforts in promoting the arts were such that they warranted a grant.

According to Hoyt, the biggest challenge in the past has been maintaining the attention of the community and of artists. This grant will help cover the costs of promoting the festival this year, and Hoyt believes this will increase exposure to the arts in Chilton County.

The festival is planned to be greater than ever this year. Hoyt said the council wants the community to be heavily involved. There are already plans for many people from Chilton County to perform and display their art, according to Hoyt. She is excited for local artists to be engaged with their community through their art.

The annual Chilton County Arts Festival is planned for Nov. 5-6 at Jefferson State Community College’s Performing Arts Center.

“We really want to build this into a destination festival,” said Hoyt. “You won’t find better artists than we have; there are some top notch artists at our festival.”

Hoyt would like to thank Mary Mell Smith, the City Council of Clanton and Mayor Billy Joe Driver for their support for the Arts Council.

To find out more about the Arts Council, go to Chiltoncountyartscouncil.com.