State Sen. Steve Southerland, R-1st, of Morristown, announced today that four organizations in Greene County will receive arts grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

The recipients include the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, $17,600; Rural Resources, $4,900; Tusculum College, $6,500; and Community Economic Development Network (CEDnet), $1,120.

"I am delighted that the Tennessee Arts Commission allocated grant money for the arts efforts in our area," Southerland said in a news release. "I am confident that it will be put to good use."

The Tennessee Arts Commission's matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of state funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates.

The Arts Commission will award more than 900 community grants through the 2013 fiscal year, totaling $7.5 million, the release said.

The allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate disciplines and a final review by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission.

"These funds enable us to promote the arts so that it will be part of our heritage for future generations of Tennesseans," Southerland said.