WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins today announced that seven Maine arts projects will receive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The seven Maine arts projects will receive a total of $175,000.

“These funds will greatly benefit visual, written, and performing artists throughout Maine and the all of Maine’s citizens,” the senators said in a joint statement. “Great art can be enjoyed by everyone and we applaud the NEA’s decision to award these grants.”

The grants help support projects that involve the creation and presentation of artistically excellent work— new and established. Projects will include commissions, residencies, rehearsals, exhibitions, publications, festivals and training programs. Grants from the NEA generate, on average, seven dollars for every dollar awarded, according to the senators’ news release.

The awards went to Portland Stage Company, Portland, $25,000; Ellen Cooney, Phippsburg, $25,000; Portland Concert Association, Portland, $10,000; Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick, $40,000; Bangor Folk Festival, Bangor, $30,000; Alice James Poetry Cooperative, Farmington, $35,000; and Bates College Dance Festival, Lewiston, $20,000.