The Durham Arts Council has annouced the recipients of its Season Grants for this year. Season Grants support projects and operations of nonprofit arts organizations providing programming in Durham County with awards of cash and/or use of space in the Durham Arts Council building.

Many of the organizations receiving Season Grants not only produce concerts, performances, exhibits and publications, but also provide many opportunities to participate as performers, exhibitors, writers, students, teachers, volunteers and board members. By offering such a wide range of programs, these organizations create vital communities of professional and amateur artists.

The recipients of the 2012 Durham Arts Council Season Grants are:

• The African American Dance Ensemble, which maintains and promotes traditions of African and African American dance and music through research, education and entertainment.

• The American Dance Festival, which encourages and supports the creation and presentation of new modern dance work by established and emerging choreographers.

• Carlota Santana Spanish Dance which promotes flamenco dance as a living art form, and as an integral part of Hispanic Heritage.

• The Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc., is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street. The Carolina Theatre is dedicated to presenting film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle.

• Carolina Wren Press, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to publish quality writing, especially by writers historically neglected by mainstream publishing, and to develop diverse and vital audiences through publishing, outreach, and educational programs.

• The Choral Society of Durham, which has a long-standing reputation for excellence in performing great choral literature with professional orchestra and regionally and nationally known soloists.

• The Durham Art Guild, Inc., which was established in 1948 with the goal and mission to function as a nonprofit, member-driven organization with the primary goal of operating a visual arts gallery that features the work of regional artists.

• The Durham Children’s Choir, whose mission is to provide an opportunity for outstanding young singers in the Durham community to learn a wide variety of high quality choral music and to share that music with the community through public performances.

• The Durham Chorale, is a Triangle-area group of people who share a love of singing. The members include professionally trained singers as well as those who are new to public performance.

• The Durham Community Concert Band, which is made up of members of all ages and levels of musical talent. The band performs in Durham and the surrounding area.

• Durham Jazz, a full 18-piece band plus a male and female vocalist. It is made up of musicians from many walks of life.

• Durham Savoyards, a homegrown theatre troupe that was born in 1963, out of love for W. S. Gilbert's incisive satire and Arthur Sullivan's sparkling music. • The Durham Symphony, which began in 1976 as an all-volunteer community orchestra offering free concerts. The DSO’s mission has been to foster the appreciation of music through the production of high-quality music for and by the residents of Durham and surrounding communities.

• The Full Frame Film Festival serves the documentary form and its community by showcasing the contemporary work of established and emerging filmmakers.

• KidZNotes, a not-for-profit organization that promotes classical, orchestral music training for children in Durham’s poorest neighborhoods.

• The Little Green Pig Theatrical Concerrn, a nonprofit theater company striving to bring controversial and progressive works to the community.

• The Mallarmé Chamber Players, a flexible ensemble of professional musicians whose mission is to enrich the lives of the community through outstanding chamber music.

• Manbites Dog Theater, a professional non-profit theater company whose produce new and challenging theatrical events, showcase and nurture developing playwrights, directors, actors, and artists, facilitate cross-disciplinary and cross-community projects, and help strengthen this region's theatrical community.

• The Southern Documentary Fund, which encourages documentary media projects made within or about the American South.

• St. Joseph's Historic Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing cultural understanding through diverse programs that examine the experiences of Americans of African descent.

• The Scrap Exchange, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuseable objects.

• The Triangle Gay Men's Chorus, is a nonprofit performing arts organization that seeks to perform quality men's choral music that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

• Walltown Children’s Theatre, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of young people in Durham through the arts.

• Young People’s Performing Company, which provides classes, workshops and performance opportunities in the dramatic arts for children and teens from kindergarten through high school.