ROME — Rome Art and Community Center’s arts summer camp for youths was presented with a ceremonial check for $15,000 in Community Development Block Grant monies that will help support program scholarships.

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy, was in Rome Thursday to present funding to the Artletics program.

Artletics is a creative eight-week arts summer camp program for children ages 5-12. Each week is built around a theme with fun activities and creative projects. Campers rotate through multiple sessions of fine arts, sports, drama and games each day, and each week ends with an art show and performance.

“The importance of fostering a love of the arts and culture in children is often overlooked. These skills can help them develop creativity, individuality and passions later in life,” said Buttenschon. “The Rome Art and Community Center’s Artletics program serves children of our community, regardless of nationality or socio-economic status. It also provides parents with an enriching, educational child care option. I secured this much needed funding so this dynamic community organization can continue its positive impact on the greater Rome region.”

Developed more than 15 years ago at RACC, 308 W. Bloomfield St., Artletics provides quality arts and cultural programming in the community, recreational activities and lessons on socio-economic health and job skills.

The CDBG funding will allow Artletics to offer scholarships to low and moderate-income families who qualify, and will address continued increases in staff and materials costs for the organization.