A little more than $1 million is headed to Mecklenburg County cultural groups thanks to the N.C. Arts Council.

The council on Monday announced $7.4 million in grants for arts programs across the state. The money comes from appropriations by the N.C. General Assembly and from federal funds awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The largest grant in the state goes to the Arts & Science Council, which will get $216,565 for Mecklenburg cultural groups and for administrative support. The ASC will receive two smaller grants, including $10,000 for "a monumental public artwork" for the Romare Bearden Park planned for uptown.

The Charlotte Symphony, Mint Museum, N.C. Dance Theatre and other leading Charlotte groups will receive money for their general operations. Some will get additional funding for specific projects. A $7,000 grant to the Charlotte Symphony, for instance, will enable it to give string-instrument lessons to at-risk students at Winterfield Elementary School in east Charlotte.

A few smaller organizations are also slated for money. Martha Connerton/Kinetic Works, a dance company, will receive $5,000 for outreach programs. The Davidson Community Players will get $6,000 to help it produce a new play, "Masterpiece" by Meir Ribalow.

The list announced Monday totaled 354 grants for organizations and individual artists across the state.

"These grants help bring arts experience like music, theater and dance to communities everywhere, and support lively arts in education and after-school programs," said Linda Carlisle, secretary of the state Department of Cultural Resources, in a statement.