D.C. funds arts program

The District granted the Shakespeare Theater $20 million for a new stage last week. The money could be the beginning of $100 million worth of funding for D.C.’s art community.

Historically, D.C.’s total annual contribution for the arts has been under $1 million, but Mayor Anthony Williams hopes to make funding for such venues more of a priority throughout the next year, The Washington Post reported.

Other arts venues have also been reaping the benefits of Williams’ new policy, The Post reported. Arena Stage, located in southwest D.C., recently received a grant of $5 million. The Corcoran Gallery of Art, which also hopes to benefit from the District’s new initiative, is putting together a request for millions of dollars in funding.

Williams said that an organized approach to allocation of the funds is necessary while executing the plan.

“It is important for the city to stand foursquare behind the proposition that the arts are important,” Williams told The Post.

Residents raise money for arthritis research

D.C.’s 20th Annual Jingle Bells run took place Saturday with as many as 3,700 people taking part to raise money for arthritis research.

About 70 million Americans have some form of arthritis, The Washington Post reported. Of those millions, it is estimated that 830,000 of them live in the D.C. area.

The event earned $130,000, said Nicole E. Carey, president and CEO of the foundation’s local chapter, as reported by The Post.

The event combines a 5K and 10K course for participants, and money is raised through participant fees and fundraising.