The US Department of Interior has given a grant of $380,000 towards the Tenth Pacific Festival of Arts which Amerian Samoa is hosting next year.
The Executive Director of the Festival Lauti Simona, announcing the grant, said it was much less than what they were hoping for.
The committee is hoping to raise a total of just over $6million.
Lauti says they hope to receive commitments from Hawaii companies including the Bank of Hawaii and Hawaiian Air soon.
Another fundraising trip is planned for New Zealand in two weeks.
As for local preparations, the director says renovations of church facilities where delegates will stay should begin as soon as the Arts Festival's share of the $20 million loan from the Retirement Fund becomes available.
The Arts Festival is to receive $1.5 million of the loan proceeds.
