COLUMBIA –– The S.C. Arts Commission is offering grants of up to $7,500 to dance troupes to reconstruct or restage a historically and artistically significant American dance work.

Guidelines for the American Masterpieces in South Carolina grants are available at www.SouthCarolinaArts.com. The application deadline is June 15. Grants are open to dance companies, college and university dance ensembles or presenters in partnership with a dance company, all of which must be based in South Carolina.

The purpose of the program is three-fold: to offer historically and artistically significant American dance works to South Carolinians, to engage and expand adult and student dance audiences and to foster creative partnerships between S.C. presenters and dance companies. American Masterpieces in South Carolina is a part of the National Endowment for the Arts' American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius initiative. The program aims to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy. Through this initiative, the NEA will sponsor performances, exhibitions, tours and educational programs across all art forms that will reach large and small communities in all 50 states.

For more information about the American Masterpieces in South Carolina program, call (803) 734-8696 or visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com.

Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission focuses on increasing public participation in the arts.