LUMBERTON — Eleven Robeson County nonprofits have received a total of $27,155 from the North Carolina Arts Council to fund projects that promote the arts.

The money is part of the $34,291 that the Carolina Civic Center Foundation recently received. The foundation served as the provisional county partner with the Grassroots Arts Program this year. The balance of the money — 20 percent — was used for administrative purposes.

“The projects funded by this grant are going to not only help with cultural infrastructure of our community but we certainly hope draw more visitors to our community,” said Richard Sceiford, the executive director of the Carolina Civic Center Foundation. “Cultural tourists spend more time in the community and more money while here than most of the other categories of visitors.”

The Givens Performing Arts Center, which received the largest allotment — $7,500 — plans to use the money to fund an American Indian concert and cultural event that will feature Lumbee and Tuscarora artists.

“We are thrilled,” said Patricia Fields, the executive director said. “The Arts Council has always been very supportive of us, this just continues their support. It’s a great opportunity.”

Because of recent state budget cuts, Fields said grant money is much needed.

“We are definitely focusing on creative financial planning and taking advantage of every resource that we have,” she said.

Winning organizations were chosen by a volunteer community review panel. The panel judged the 15 applications based on quality of the application, quality of the project, and multicultural aspects. The requests totaled $60,200.

“The hardest part for them was that there were so many worthy organizations,” Sceiford said. “They did the best they could with what they had.”

Other local organizations winning grants were American Indian Mothers Inc., $2,000; The Exploration Station, $1,250; Community in Schools Academy of Robeson County, $3,000; Lumbee Regional Development Association, $1,000; Red Springs Arts Council, $2,905; Robeson County Arts Council, $800; Robeson Road Runners, $2,500; Fairmont Farmers Festival, $2,000; Rowland Celebrations Committee, $2,000; The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Native American Resource Center, $1,200; and the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, $1,000.

Grants can be used for marketing, supplies, as well as artist stipends. Organizations that receive funding are required to match the amount.

The money is part of 354 grants this year, totaling $7.4 million, from the North Carolina Arts Council for organizations and artists across the state.