Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 6, 1994                   TAG: 9407060040
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-12   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

STATE AWARDS ARTS GROUPS AND LOCALITIES FUNDS AND CHALLENGE GRANTS

Some localities also were awarded local-government challenge grants, which require them at least to match the grant.

DiscoveryWorks, a Radford children's museum, received $2,800 from the state and stands to get another $5,820 from the city of Radford. The city received a grant of $2,910.

DiscoveryWorks allows children to experience art, science and the humanities through hands-on activities. The museum also sponsors summer camps and works with children in the public schools, Head Start and day care.

"Small Steps, Giant Leaps," a tribute to the first walk on the moon, is scheduled for the fall and "Children and Cultures of the World" is planned for the spring.

The museum, at 1115 Norwood St., is closed this month but reopens in August. Call 633-2233.

The Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley on Main Street in Pulaski received a $3,700 grant. The town of Pulaski and Pulaski County each received a $2,910 challenge grant.

Michael Dowell, director of the the center, applauded the state for alloting money for operating expenses instead of tying the funds to a specific project.

He said the center's efforts in the schools were hampered by the winter ice storms, but he hopes to foster a stronger relationship next year.

The center also offers such courses as photography, painting, music composition, creative writing and dance.

For more information, call Dowell at 980-7363.

Virginia Arts Presenters, a small organization in Montgomery County, received $600. The group's director could not be reached.

Wythe County received $2,910 to give to the Wytheville Fine Arts Center to supplement the county's $5,000 grant.

The Arts and Cultural Center of the Twin Counties, based in Galax, received $600 from the state and will get additional funds from the city and Carroll and Grayson counties.

The town of Narrows also received a $2,910 grant.