Equipment funded by KCF grant helps MTVarts keep ‘paying it forward’

When you pay it forward, sometimes you get paid back.

MTVarts found that out when word came that it received a $5,000 grant from the Knox County Foundation, as part of its GiveBACKTuesday grant program.

Four other local nonprofits, culled from a list submitted by the public, were tapped to receive the funds. For MTVarts, the grant money will provide the down payment on a key piece of equipment: an ultra-short-throw projector and wide-angle lens.

"We believe that MTVarts was selected for this grant because of the consistent quality that we provide to the cultural scene in our community,” said business director Janis Stone, who spoke on behalf of artistic director Bruce Jacklin and Cheri Butcher, a volunteer who nominated the organization.

MTVarts is an all-volunteer nonprofit community theater company that grew from being a local theater troupe called Bruce Jacklin and Co., with production support by MTVarts. The first production as MTVarts premiered in 2007 with "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast." Today, it offers dinner theater at the Alcove Restaurant.

“This is a great honor to have our dedicated volunteers recognized by the GiveBACKTuesday grant,” Stone said. “It validates that they believe in our mission and want MTVarts to grow as an organization.”

Stone said the investment will allow the group to maintain quality while expanding the programs it offers.

Programming produced by MTVarts includes the Summer Musical Series, sponsored by Park National Bank. The Classic Series presents the works of American playwrights and youth-oriented performance-based workshops under the banner of artsIQ and is sponsored by the Ariel Corp. There are also art education classes and workshops at Warehouse 14.

Other special projects include production of original works such as “Rooted: Stories of Knox County” and “Welcome Home, A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans.” Also on the playbill are one-act festivals, a kid’s breakfast club, interactive theater, musical revues and partnership events. MTVarts also provides assistance to schools and community events and has earned awards at OCTA and AACT festivals.

Knox County Foundation celebrated Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30 by asking people to help give back to the local community. The social media campaign lasted through Dec. 14 and gave people the opportunity to nominate a local nonprofit. A grants committee then narrowed down the nominations for the five winners who were chosen in January. There were 10 nominees. The winners included MTVarts, Centerburg Senior Services, Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Knox County Task Force for Older Adults and Giving Hope Charity.

Lisa Lloyd, program director for the Knox County Foundation, said in a press release this was the first year it provided GivingBACKTuesday grants, and the foundation hopes to repeat it next year.

For more information, visit MTVarts.com.