New London — Nonprofit arts and cultural groups in the region were awarded about $161,000 in state grants this week, according to the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition.

The Connecticut Office of the Arts doled out more than $1.5 million in grants statewide.

Southeastern Connecticut grant recipients included the Flock Theatre, Writer's Block Inc., Oswegatchie Elementary School, Connecticut Storytelling Center, Salt Marsh Opera Company, Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Mystic Art Association (Mystic Museum of Art) and Eastern Connecticut Ballet Inc.

Only 8 percent of the grant applications came from southeastern Connecticut, the coalition noted.

“Grants have become more competitive and there are many reasons why an organization does not or cannot apply for grants, including lack of time, staff, resources, and experience, yet grant opportunities are plentiful,” Wendy Bury, the coalition’s executive director, said in a news release.

"Our region can do better, and the Cultural Coalition will offer grant writing support to ensure that more organizations can prepare and apply for state grants in the future," she said.

The coalition encourages groups that did not receive a Connecticut Office of the Arts grant and those seeking small arts grants to apply for a Regional Initiative Grant ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. Applications are due by July 29.

For more information, visit www.CultureSECT.org or the Connecticut Office of the Arts website, http://bit.ly/2a0b3Da.