Tourists who come to experience an area's arts, heritage, and culture generally stay longer and spend more money than other types of tourists, according to a 2007 study by Americans for the Arts.

In view of this, the S.C. Arts Commission is offering grants of up to $2,500 to arts organizations for cultural tourism research and marketing efforts. Guidelines are available at www.South- CarolinaArts.com. The application deadline is July 1.

Launched in 2005, the agency's Cultural Tourism Initiative aims to positively impact economic growth in the state, and increase pride and recognition of the value of the arts and cultural resources of South Carolina communities. To date, the Arts Commission has awarded over $210,000 to communities statewide.

Grants will be awarded to arts- based projects that generate tourist expenditures and positively impact local, regional, or statewide economies. Funding will support research that results in quantitative or qualitative data to improve the long- term sustainability of a cultural tourism project and marketing that utilizes media and technology for marketing to tourists.

For more information about the S.C. Arts Commission Cultural Tourism program, call (803) 734-8696 or visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com.

The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission focuses on increasing public participation in the arts by providing services, grants, and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development, and artist development.

Headquartered in Columbia, the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734- 8696.