MARSHALL — The arts take a lot of different forms in southwest Minnesota, whether it’s a summer learning class or a big event like a music festival. But it all makes a difference for residents and communities, said Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Executive Director Nicole DeBoer.

“We find that all of it is impactful,” DeBoer said.

The SMAC board recently awarded a total of more than $235,000 in grant funds to 34 community organizations, four individual artists and one art student. The grants will fund arts projects in communities including Marshall, Tracy, Canby, Lake Benton and more.

SMAC funds were awarded in a few different grant categories. A total of 28 organizations received SMAC Art Project grants, which provide up to $10,000 to encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts. Some of the area recipients included the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, which received $9,440 for a strings music camp for middle and high school students this summer; and the Southwest West Central Foundation for Innovation in Education, which received $10,000 for its arts conference for children in grades K-8. The city of Tracy was awarded $5,000 for a permanent art installation at the Tracy Aquatic Center. The community art project, led by SammyJo Miller, will create water-themed art designs that will be installed in the chain-link fence around the Aquatic Center.

Some of the area grant recipients received funds for community performance arts. The Lake Benton Opera House was awarded $8,000 for a production of the musical “Into the Woods.” The Murray County Historical Society was awarded $4,600 for a series of three summer concerts. The concerts will be held outdoors, outside the historic Dinehart Holt House in Slayton.

In addition to the Art Project grants, SMAC awarded six Quick Support grants for organizations, and four for individual artists. DeBoer said the Quick Support grants are smaller – up to $2,500 – and are meant to help get smaller projects running more quickly.

Individual grant recipients included Mary Haberman of Lucan, and Sheila Tabaka and SammyJo Miller of Marshall.

Haberman was awarded $1,000 for producing a series of 10 acrylic paintings to be donated to local charitable organizations. Tabaka was awarded a $1,000 grant that will allow her to learn more about the craft of kilt making. Miller was awarded $1,000 for a participatory art experience during the Marshall Pride Festival. As part of the art experience, attendees of all ages and skill levels will be invited to draw self-portraits, encouraging creative expression in a welcoming and relaxed environment, SMAC said.

DeBoer said SMAC tends to receive a lot of grant applications in the spring, as artists and groups plan for summer and fall events.

“This fits with how we traditionally receive grants,” she said of the number of grant recipients this spring.

Supporting the arts not only has an impact on individuals, but carries an economic benefit, DeBoer said. When people attend community arts events, they’re also helping to support local businesses and organizations, she said.