The Marion Cultural Alliance’s annual Applaud the Arts gala on November 14th at the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center recognized numerous talented local artists.
The evening began with performances by Artify Ocala, followed by the announcement of MCA’s annual art awards and cultural grants, funded in part with a match of $30,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. With the bestowal of $60,000 to arts organizations, MCA has now awarded $585,000 since its inception in 2001. This is the eighth year the awards have been conferred.
Community members made nominations, and a committee selected Charles Eady as the Arts Educator of the year, Darian Mosely for the Service Award, Angie Lewis for the Vision Award and conferred a posthumous award to famed Ocala tenor James Melton.
MCA and the NEA also awarded funding to 12 local arts organizations for programming and equipment for the 2024-2025 funding cycle.
