ENTERPRISE — Fishtrap is among the 23 arts organizations statewide that each will receive $10,000 grant awards to support their educational projects in partnership with Oregon schools through the coming fiscal year, the Oregon Arts Commission Arts Learning funding announced Tuesday, Jan. 25.

Shannon McNerney, executive director of Fishtrap, said the grant is critical to the group’s funding and they have received similar grants for several years.

“It’s a cornerstone for our youth funding,” she said. “It’s one of the key components.”

McNerney said Fishtrap plans to use some of the money to bring in a playwright writer in residence this spring, as well as use the money to fund the scholarships Fishtrap provides to youths of about $550.

The OAC’s announcement said Fishtrap will use its grant to support the continuum of arts learning opportunities it offers to youths across Eastern Oregon. In 2021-22, it hopes to engage 500 young rural writers ages 7-18 with its youth writing programs.

“We’re looking forward to getting kids writing again,” McNerney said. “We miss their faces and look forward to seeing them this spring and summer.”