The Johnson Center for the Arts has been notified that it has received a Daniel Foundation of Alabama Challenge Grant in the amount of $50,000 to be used in the renovation of The Annex, a building that is owned by the Johnson Center for the Arts.

The Challenge Grant funds are payable once the Daniel Foundation receives written acknowledgement that the Johnson Center has secured the same amount through other sources, said Maria S. Kennedy, Foundation executive director.

“We continue to be excited about being a part of the good work taking place in communities throughout Alabama,” Kennedy said.

Vicki Pritchett, Johnson Center executive director, expressed appreciation to the Daniel Foundation for the grant funding and for the Foundation’s acknowledgement of the importance of The Annex to the Troy community.

“The Daniel Foundation Challenge Grants are matching grants and the Foundation’s challenge serves as an encouragement for other funding,” Pritchett said. “This grant is the result of our grant request to the Daniel Foundation last spring. Now, we must find the necessary funding to meet the challenge.”

Pritchett said The Annex was made available to the Johnson Center through the generosity of the late Corley “Brother” Chapman, Jr., who sold the former barbershop building to the Johnson Center for $10. Chapman supported the efforts of the arts center to provide an art education facility for the community.

“The Johnson Center’s goal is to renovate The Annex, which is located at the right rear corner of our block,” Pritchett said. “Plans are to renovate the building to include two K-12 classrooms with all the standard classroom amenities. We also plan to add one large adult continuing education space with workroom and bathroom at the back of The Annex. A large workroom at the rear of the building will allow space for community adult art classes in a variety of media.”

Also included in the plans for The Annex will be an open-air grassy area for small art events.

Pritchett said the target populations for The Annex would be K-12 teachers and students, college students, home-schooled students and for all members of the community who would like to express their creativity, learn more about the arts or serve as volunteers for the arts.

After school and weekend activities will be available to students and adults.

The Daniel Foundation was created by Hugh Daniel, who launched the Daniel Construction Company of Alabama. The company became one of the leading construction companies in the nation. The mission of the Daniel Foundation of Alabama is to strengthen communities within Alabama and improve the quality of life for citizens from all regions of Alabama.