The Randolph County Community Arts Center will host the West Virginia Division of Culture and History's (WVDCH) arts staff as they bring a statewide grant writing workshop to Elkins from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 8.

Arts program staff will offer a grant writing overview with information on program deadlines and the application process as well as tips and timelines for successful grant writing. They will discuss new initiatives and programs that support local arts projects, changes in current guidelines affecting the fiscal year 2011 application and how to plan for grant success.

Arts administrators, arts educators and artists are invited to participate in this practical and informative session. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Many constituents expressed a need for local grant writing workshops to arts staff members who visited communities across the state and provided listening tours as part of the planning for the 2011-2013 State Arts Plan. A total of eight statewide workshops are scheduled, including the one hosted by the RCCAC in Elkins.

WVDCH Arts Director Jeff Pierson said, "With the help of local hosts, we can reach the most people and have more impact in each community. We thank the Randolph County Community Arts Center for agreeing to assist with bringing this much-needed workshop to the community. "

For more information on the grant writing workshops and the programs and services of the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, call Pierson at 304-558-0240, ext. 717, or e-mail jeff.pierson@wvculture.org.

For more information on the workshop session at the RCCAC in Elkins, call Beth King at 304-637-2355.