By Kyle Marie McMahon
A Cary-based organization is being celebrated for its invaluable impact on the community. The South Indian Fine Arts Academy (SIFAA) has been named a recipient of the South Arts Cultural Sustainability program, a major grant initiative that awarded more than $1.17 million to just 17 organizations across nine states.
The national program, launched in 2024 in partnership with the Wallace Foundation, was specifically designed to provide general operating support to arts organizations rooted in communities of color with annual operating expenses under $500,000.
For SIFAA and the other recipients, this grant provides crucial general operating funds, which are vital for nonprofits to manage day-to-day needs and grow sustainably. The program aims to support organizations that have faced historical barriers to national funding, recognizing their essential role in their communities.
“We are thrilled to announce the progress of the Cultural Sustainability program and its awards to organizations that encompass our region’s vast range of arts and cultural disciplines, backgrounds, and operational structures,” says Gretchen McLennon, interim South Arts President and CEO. “These 17 organizations not only enrich and inform the artistic legacy of our nine-state region, but also engage and support the communities of color that are embedded in our nation’s historical and cultural fabric.”
The South Indian Fine Arts Academy was one of two North Carolina organizations to be selected, along with the Techmoja Dance and Theatre Company in Wilmington. For 12 of the 17 organizations in this group, this is the first grant they have ever received from South Arts.
In addition to the grant, each recipient will participate in collaborative learning experiences focused on themes like solidarity, healing, wellness, and advocacy. This award highlights the South Indian Fine Arts Academy as a vital part of Cary’s cultural landscape and provides a significant new platform for its work.
For more information on the Cultural Sustainability program, South Arts’ class of recipients, and forthcoming projects and opportunities, please visit southarts.org.
