June 7, 2005 DC Arts Commission Funds Improvements at Neighborhood Cultural Centers The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) announced $339,000 in grant awards today for support of improvements to arts and cultural facilities in DC neighborhoods through the DC Main Street Arts Initiative.      "This program provides the brick-and-mortar support that cultural institutions need, while recognizing the importance of the arts to our city's vitality and economic well-being," said Arts Commission Chair Dorothy McSweeny.   "This grant program is in keeping with Mayor Williams' mandate to insure facility development throughout the city, including our neighborhoods," said Tony Gittens, the Arts Commission Executive Director.   The Arts Commission wishes to gratefully acknowledge the funding support for the DC Main Street Arts Initiative made possible by the 2005 US Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations for the District of Columbia. The assistance of Congressional leaders, Senator Michael DeWine (R), Ohio and Senator Ted Stevens (R), Alaska, speaks to the federal government's appreciation of the significant role the arts and arts institutions play in the District of Columbia.   The awards will help finance the improvement, expansion, and rehabilitation of buildings owned or leased by galleries, theaters, and other neighborhood cultural institutions. In addition, assistance will increase the ability of awardees to present first-rate performing arts activities as well as serve as catalysts for economic revitalization in their neighborhoods. The award recipients are:   Recipients      Ward African Heritage Dancers and Drummers                 Ward  7 ARCH Development Corporation               Ward  8 Atlas Performing Arts Center             Ward  6 Fondo Del Sol Visual Arts Center   Ward  1 International Capoeria Angola Foundation           Ward  4 Kankouran W. African Dance Company           Ward  5 New Sewell Music Conservatory, Inc. Ward  4 Southwest Renaissance Development Corp.     Ward  6 The Theatre Lab     Ward  2   Background Since 1968, the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities has developed and promoted local artists, organizations and activities as part of its mission to enrich the quality of life for the residents in Washington. For more information, visit DC Arts .