April 23, 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is awarding $82,000 in matching grants to support artistic projects across Maine.
The “Art Works” grants help support exemplary projects in thirteen artistic disciplines and fields, including: arts education, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, local arts agencies, media arts, museums, music, opera, presenting, theater and musical theater, and visual arts. Grants from the NEA generate, on average, eight dollars from non-federal sources for each dollar awarded.
“This funding from the National Endowment of the Arts will go a long way in supporting and promoting Maine’s diverse artistic culture and endeavors,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Not only will it provide invaluable opportunities for residents across the state, but it will benefit and enrich the lives of Mainers from all walks of life.”
A complete list of the grant awards is as follows:
|
Recipient
|
Amount |
Purpose |
|
Portland Symphony Orchestra Portland, Maine
|
$15,000 |
To support a statewide performance and community outreach tour |
|
Portland Opera Repertory Theatre Portland, Maine |
$10,000 |
To support a new production of Puccini’s La Boheme, a competition for young artists, and an expansion of children’s chorus training program
|
|
Seal Bay Festival Vinalhaven, Maine
|
$7,000 |
To support the biennial Seal Bay Festival. |
|
Telling Room Portland, Maine |
$10,000 |
To support Young Writers and Leaders, a free, weekly after-school literary arts program for teenage refugee and immigrant English language learners
|
|
LA Arts Lewiston, Maine |
$10,000 |
To support Maine Writes, a program to provide students and teachers in Lewiston and Auburn, Maine, full-year writing residencies and opportunities to network with youth nationwide via social media and video conferencing.
|
|
Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance Old Town, Maine |
$30,000 |
To support an apprenticeship program for master Native American basket makers to teach younger generations.
|
BACKGROUND: The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.
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