Organization: Albert Lea Art Center

Project: Art classes and programming

Report: The $5,500 grant received from the Larry R. Olson Foundation Fund and the Gladys Gunderson Charitable Fund of the Freeborn County Community Foundation has allowed The Albert Lea Art Center to expand its educational programming and classes for students and adults for the upcoming year.

The purpose of the ALAC is to encourage people of all ages to discover creative thinking, to realize that everyone has the ability to find the spark that is a new idea or an improvement on an old one, to realize that entertainment can come from within rather than through the media, and to know that a sketch on a blank piece of paper — with the right direction — can become a significant project or a unique art piece. University research has shown that children who participate in arts activities are better students, seek higher education and are more likely to become community leaders.

ALAC classes are offered on site and in various area venues after school and on weekends and evenings.

According to a press release, the organization is in the process of expanding to have a more versatile season of classes and camps for children and adults due to the grant.