Philip Morris USA Becomes First $20,000 Annual Donor

Philip Morris USA, which continues to be known for supporting the arts nationwide and in our own community, recently became the Cabarrus Arts Council’s first $20,000 annual donor.   Last fall, we received a $7,600 grant to support multicultural arts programs at Cabarrus and Kannapolis after-school sites.  Cathy Waters and Bennie Darden of Cabarrus Philip Morris then recommended the arts council for a grant from the parent company in Richmond .  As a result, the council received an invitation to apply for the Arts and Culture Grant Initiative.

Through that program, the arts council was awarded $12,500 to support a residency program featuring The Latin Ballet of Virginia.  With these funds, elementary schools will be offered the opportunity to apply for a week-long residency in the fall.  During the residencies, the ballet will perform for the entire student body, work intensively with one classroom, give a public performance, and offer teacher/parent workshops. The Cabarrus Arts Council thanks Philip Morris for its vision and its understanding of the importance of the arts for everyone in all communities.