The Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition announced Wednesday that seven organizations or individuals in the region have won a total of $33,500 through the state's Regional Initiative Grant program.

Grant winners for the 2016 fiscal year were Amy Hannum of New London; Connecticut College; Connecticut Landmarks/Hempsted Houses in New London; Hope Sheldon of Fields Memorial School PTO in Bozrah; Kia Baird of New London; Norwich Creates in Norwich, and the New London Community Orchestra.

"The REGI program provides the opportunity for regional direction of state funds to support arts and cultural projects that are unique to southeastern Connecticut," said Wendy Bury, executive director of the cultural coalition, one of eight statewide.

REGI grants are awarded by the state Department of Economic and Community Development's Office of the Arts. According to a release, "The pilot REGI grant program was designed for grant seekers interested in the creation of small cultural projects ...  especially projects that experiment with new ways to apply the arts within its community.

For more information on grants, visit www.cultureandtourism.org. Additional information about the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition and its 19-town region can be found at www.CultureSECT.org or by calling (860) 448-5135.