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What makes a community vibrant? It is the places we gather, the stories we tell, the music we share and the opportunities we create for people to discover something new. In Monongalia County, the arts are an important part of all these things. Supporting the arts means supporting the people and organizations that make our community a more creative, connected and enriching place to live.
Recently, the Arts Council of Greater Morgantown and Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia announced the recipients of the 2026-27 Organizational Arts Grants. Thirteen Monongalia County nonprofits received a collective $135,000 in funding to support their work in bringing arts and culture to our community.
This year’s recipients are the Mon Valley Railroad Historical Society, Monongalia Arts Center, Monongalia Symphony Orchestra, Monongahela River Trails Conservancy, Morgantown Art Association, Morgantown Dance, Morgantown Forward, Morgantown Theatre Company, Spark! Imagination and Science Center, Summit Chamber Music Series, The Shack Neighborhood House, West Virginia Botanic Garden and West Virginia Public Theatre.
These organizations represent just how broad the arts are in our community. The arts aren’t limited to paintings on gallery walls. They include music, theater, dance, history, literature, creative education, outdoor experiences, hands-on activities and opportunities for people of all ages to participate and connect.
The Organizational Arts Grant program is a collaborative effort supported by contributions from the City of Morgantown, the Monongalia County Commission, and the Douglas H. Tanner Memorial Fund for the Arts, along with generous donations from Dr. Stephen J. Wetmore, the Anka M. Fantulin Endowment for Animals and Arts, The Arts Fund at Your Community Foundation and the Miles McKennan Foreman Youth Art Fund.
Supporting the arts is not simply about funding events. It is an investment in the quality of life, economic vitality, creativity and community connection that make our region special.
But grants are only one piece of the puzzle. Arts organizations depend on community members showing up, purchasing tickets, taking classes, buying artwork, attending exhibitions, volunteering and making donations. Every time we choose to attend a performance, visit a gallery, enroll in a workshop or support an arts organization, we help ensure these opportunities remain available.
One upcoming opportunity to put that support into action is the Monongalia Arts Center’s MAC-a-Go-Go fundraiser. Events like this are an important part of sustaining the organizations that provide year-round arts programming in our community. Consider attending, contributing or finding another way to support the MAC and the many other arts organizations working throughout Monongalia County. Grab your tickets at monartscenter.com.
The arts thrive when a community believes they matter. Morgantown is fortunate to have so many organizations, artists, educators, performers and supporters working to make creativity accessible to everyone. As we celebrate this year’s grant recipients, let’s also remember that the future of our arts community depends on all of us. When you support the arts, you’re not just supporting an organization or an event. You’re supporting a stronger, more connected Morgantown.
Get Connected to the Creative Community
The Arts Council of Greater Morgantown is the community’s local resource for arts information and opportunities. The organization is dedicated to empowering artists, fostering creativity and improving economic vitality through inclusive arts partnerships that build a vibrant creative community. Learn more at artsgm.org or follow ACGM on Facebook and Instagram at @ArtsCouncilofGreaterMorgantown.