Although the Swen Parson Gallery is grateful for the $1,210 grant it received from the Illinois Arts Council, additional money for the program is needed.

Director of NIU Galleries Lynda Martin, said the amount Swen Parson Gallery was awarded is appreciated, but will not pay for all of the expenses. However, Martin said the galleries are “very happy for whatever support we get.”

Martin said the money will be used to defray expenses for exhibits, including printing costs, transportation of artwork to Swen Parson exhibitions, art supplies and general operating support.

In all, DeKalb County received about $19,000 which was distributed to such organizations as the Stage Coach Players, the Emergence Dance Theater and the Egyptian Theatre.

The Stage Coach Players is a community theater group that performs musicals and plays at the Stage Coach Theater on Barber Green Road. The Emergence Dance Theater performs interactive dance in DeKalb and Chicago. The Egyptian Theatre presents movies, plays and musicals on North Second Street in DeKalb.

According to Rep. John Countryman, R-DeKalb, the awards come from general revenue funds in the state budget and will be given to the recipients within 60 days.

Countryman said the general assembly makes appropriations for the money. “These grants give us a small opportunity to expand our appreciation and enjoyment for events which otherwise would not occur in the community,” he said.

Statewide, the Illinois Arts Council will award more than $6 million for fiscal year 1990. This year’s awards will surpass last year by more than $1 million because of appropriations made by the General Assembly.

Countryman said the role of the Illinois Arts Council is to administer grant money and decide who will receive the awards.