Critical Skills Lincoln Center National Endowment of the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts, as we know from recent news reports, is under fire. In this recent article in BroadwayWorld, media arts and filmmakers were not included in a drove of inspiring insights from arts leaders. This happens a lot—"Arts" often means "Performing Arts" to the general public. But not only did Broadway Earth choose not to include media artists, they also chose not to include the voices of any people of color.

This has got to end. We perpetuate inequality, exclusion, and racism with this kind of breathy whitesplaining. We tin, and must, do improve.

Media Artists and Arts Leaders: what is the importance of the National Endowment for the Arts in your world? How might we come together as a customs to protect the arts and freedom of expression in America?

FEBRUARY 8, 2017 | BY ALEXA CRISCITIELLO
reprinted from BroadwayWorld, broadwayworld.com

The overall assumption regarding an involvement in the arts seems to be one of partisan politics. Its value is an often-debated topic in a divided nation whose idealistic chasm grows wider by the day. For many, the fate of the arts remains a concern of those confined to what conservatives label a "littoral bubble." A fringe frivolity to be cast aside in favor of funding more "practical" ventures.

Hither at BroadwayWorld, we pride ourselves on having created space to promote the work and mission of arts organizations throughout the country. And in keeping with that mission, we recognize that the the depth of the national arts community hugely contradicts this notion of littoral elitism. In states both blue and red, a thriving cultural sphere is a central component of fostering empathy, awareness, and education, also every bit promoting social bonding and providing important contributions to local economies.

Contempo reports have indicated a proposed programme to de-fund the National Endowment for the Arts. Having narrowly avoided eradication since the Reagan administration, this institution has routinely shown great resilience in the face of conservative legislators and voters who believe that the arts are imprudent to our national well-being and financial budget.

Many in our nation take but recently become aware of the National Endowment for the Arts, as the new presidential administration'south proposal has reinvigorated an ongoing battle within the arts customs to protect arts funding and education in schools and communities. Nonetheless as many piece of work to preserve this important institution, the true telescopic of its reach has even so to come into focus.

Partnering with multiple organizations, the NEA has been a boon to locales devastated by dying industries and works to provide opportunities that assistance to revitalize these fractured economies. It is also the but source of funding for folk art and oral history programs that preserve the nuanced history of largely neglected, rural and multicultural communities in America.

While much of the NEA's about visible piece of work appears to emphasize larger state organizations. promoting the evolution of new works and world-form amusement in larger cities, the NEA's funding reaches into every facet of our lives and extends into the most neglected corners of our nation.

From symphonies to dance companies to opera to music festivals and museums, the extent of the NEA'southward reach is vast and deep, providing countless recreational resources, educational programs, and employment opportunities across the nation.

Partnering with multiple organizations, the NEA has been a benefaction to locales devastated past dying industries and works to provide opportunities that help to revitalize these fractured economies. It is besides the only source of funding for folk fine art and oral history programs that preserve the nuanced history of largely neglected, rural and multicultural communities in America.

Endeavoring to reach more isolated communities is at the heart of the NEA's mission. Extending all the benefits of a rich cultural life to some of the about under-served communities in the country, the works and organizations funded through the NEA have helped to restore economies in all 50 states, particularly in rural communities.

To ameliorate help our readers empathise the numerous benefits of the NEA, nosotros have reached out to arts administrators across the land, also every bit the NEA itself, providing them with space to detail their own experiences receiving NEA funding and how the arts enrich communities and lives. In sharing their stories, these artists and administrators help to paint a portrait of a nation thriving equally a result of continued back up for the arts and the myriad ways in which the NEA serves to better the country of our union.

Argument from The National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities

"The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is operating nether a Standing Resolution for FY17, which goes through April 2017. Nosotros look forrard to participating in the usual upkeep process for the FY18 budget with OMB and the White House.

"The grants and programs that the NEA administers are powerful examples of how the arts are a vital and valuable part of our everyday lives. In communities across the nation, NEA-supported projects ensure that the arts are attainable to all Americans, through arts instruction, healing arts, and arts-based customs development—besides as through projects that feature dance, music, visual arts, literature, folk and traditional arts, and more.

"To learn more well-nigh the work of the NEA and to keep upwards to appointment on our latest news, we encourage you lot to follow the NEA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as check out our Art Works Web log and podcast where we highlight the artists and arts organizations that contribute to our civilization. In addition, the NEA's facts and figures page includes more detailed information on the impact of the NEA's grants and programs and this fact sail will give you an overview of how the NEA conducts its business. To learn more about the NEA'southward recent grants in across the nation, visit our online grant search.

"Lastly, visit NEA'south United States of Arts where you can read more stories and view videos from people all across the land who share their perspectives about the importance of fine art in their lives and communities. We keep to add to this map, if yous take a story you would similar to share, feel gratis to practise so at this online form."

American Solarium Theater (San Francisco, CA)

"In all my years in the professional theater, getting an NEA grant has been the most important recognition of the importance of our work to the community. Non because of the dollar corporeality, which is normally relatively pocket-sized, but considering the NEA represents a national awareness that arts and culture contribute mightily to what it means to be homo and to be part of a republic. Every civilized state in the globe has a policy of nurturing the arts because of the lasting marker they make on human history. We learn who nosotros are through the reflection of ourselves on stage, in literature, in music, in the visual arts. Without the NEA, we take a chance condign a nation of philistines." —Carey Perloff, Creative Director

Chicago Human Rhythm Project (Chicago, IL)

While the funding we receive from the NEA is not in and of itself a "go far or intermission it" souvenir—it is a critical part of a system of support that is increasingly fragile and nether stress. Abolishing the NEA would not merely strike a accident to specific projects and programs in cities and rural areas throughout Illinois, but would further weaken the entire [arts funding] ecology.

"Funding for the arts in America can be compared to an ecosystem. It is diverse and interconnected. While the funding we receive from the NEA is non in and of itself a "make it or interruption it" gift—it is a disquisitional part of a system of support that is increasingly frail and under stress. Abolishing the NEA would not only strike a blow to specific projects and programs in cities and rural areas throughout Illinois, but would further weaken the unabridged ecology. NEA funding can be a lever—it helps to encourage boosted funding from other sources—by providing an important "Proficient Housekeeping Seal of Approving." Information technology also supports the Illinois Arts Council Agency which is already under incredible stress because of the state budget impasse.

The amount that the U.s. spends on federal arts support per year is nearly equivalent to a unmarried F-35 fighter jet. While American culture is admired around the earth and often serves as a kind of "soft power" that diminishes the need to apply military machine forcefulness, nosotros invest a pittance in cultivating and supporting American culture. For the Chicago Human being Rhythm Project, support from the National Endowment for the Arts helps to support operation, education and community building programs yr-round including our annual festival of American Tap and Percussive Dance—RHYTHM WORLD—our arts education programs throughout Chicago Public Schools, our City-wide festival, STOMPING GROUNDS and more.

Artists are some of the most productive people on globe—they brand more with less every day of the week—but in that location is a limit to this paradigm—even the creative spirit tin can exist starved into submission. We should strongly support the arts in America through national funding at the NEA that make all of our lives richer and our communities more than peaceful." — Lane Alexander, Artistic Director

Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)

"Equally the simply professional person orchestra in Southern Nevada, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) provides critical support for our organisation'south education programming. Thanks to the funding we receive from the NEA, the Las Vegas Philharmonic is able to bring up of 20,000 schoolchildren to free concerts tailored specifically for them. NEA'south support allows us to non just provide the concert experience, but also to provide curriculum and activities which link music with other content areas, such as mathematics, science, social studies, and linguistic communication arts.

The NEA also helps us fund outreach activities for senior citizens with concerts in their communities. These types of outreach concerts for youths and seniors enrich the Las Vegas community by providing not only admission to high quality music, simply context for that music and the mode music interacts with daily life. Without the support of the NEA, the Las Vegas Philharmonic might not be able to sustain these of import programs for these special communities within Las Vegas." — Dr. Kevin Eberle, Director of Education

Opera Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA)

"Opera Santa Barbara has received National Endowment for the Arts funding several times in recent years, including for our 2012 production of Orpheus and Eurydice and our 2015 product of A Streetcar Named Want. We were very pleased to be named a grant recipient for our upcoming production of The Cunning Little Vixen, which the company will present at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara on March 3rd and 5th. NEA support has enabled us to produce innovative productions, and agency grants constitute a welcome validation of our artistic vision from a trusted institution. Our core mission includes contributing to the cultural enrichment of our community, and we view the NEA as an invaluable partner in this important work." —Steven Sharpe, General Managing director

Due south Orangish Performing Arts Center (South Orange, NJ)

Receiving an NEA grant is the highest accolade that a nonprofit arts organization tin can receive. Information technology is a validation that an organization's work is in the national pantheon of creative endeavor. And this recognition in turn helps leverage additional private and public institutional support.

"Receiving an NEA grant is the highest accolade that a nonprofit arts arrangement can receive. It is a validation that an organisation's work is in the national pantheon of artistic endeavor. And this recognition in turn helps leverage boosted private and public institutional back up, equally the imprimatur of the NEA's support means that an arts organization has met the most rigorous standards of artistic, financial and administrative excellence. The NEA is helping us nowadays a world music functioning series that will serve the diverse population of northern New Jersey. Equally a result, audiences can anticipate and enjoy a operation that connects them to their culture and creative heritage. We are deeply grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts for recognizing SOPAC's achievements and aspirations." —Marker Packer, Executive Director

Matrix Theatre Company (Detroit, MI)

"The back up Matrix Theatre Visitor has received from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has been instrumental in allowing us to keep our mission of edifice customs, improving lives, and fostering social justice through transformational theatre. Each twelvemonth nosotros are able to appoint 700 youth in enriching theatre arts programs housed within the theatre itself, as well as at community centers, churches, libraries, and other partnering organizations. In a 2015 survey of 195 youth who participated in Matrix's theatre didactics programs, 100% believe that Matrix helped them larn more about working as part of a team, and 100% feel more confident that they have the skills necessary to peacefully resolve conflict, as a issue of Matrix programming. The NEA's support has allowed us to provide these arts programs and opportunities for youth, many of whom face barriers to accessing creative arts programs. Without the funding from the NEA, it would be much more difficult for u.s. to engage these populations in Detroit. When y'all consider that the price is less than $thirty per child, and we get such positive results, it'southward clear that the return on NEA's investment is worth it." —Megan Buckley-Ball, Artistic Managing director

Lookingglass Theatre Company (Chicago, IL)

"Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater, is a national leader in the creation and presentation of new, cut-edge theatrical works and in sharing its ensemble-based theatrical techniques with students and teachers. Beyond the company's 29 year history, through changing patterns of arts consumption and charitable giving, back up from the NEA has enabled Lookingglass to fulfill its mission to create and nowadays stirring new theatrical work. To date, Lookingglass has created 65 globe-premiere productions, reaches more than 40,000 audition members each twelvemonth, and shares its new theatrical work development techniques with more than 4,000 students annually. Lookingglass is grateful for the NEA'south longstanding, steadfast support of the arts and arts institutions nationwide." —Heidi Stillman, Creative Managing director

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma (Oklahoma Metropolis, OK)

"Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma has received $286,000 in direct grants from the NEA since 1998. The organisation besides receives funding from the state Arts Council, much of which comes indirectly from federal dollars. In 2007, the theatre used a $55,000 grant to stage "OKLAHOMA!," starring Broadway's Kelli O'Hara, an Oklahoma native, for the state's centennial celebration. And, in 2015, a $x,000 grant helped Lyric Stage the earth premiere of "BERNICE BOBS HER HAIR." This yr, Lyric was named the recipient of a $x,000 NEA grant for its sensory-friendly performances of JAMES AND THE Behemothic PEACH." —Michael Baron, Producing Creative Director

Monterey Jazz Festival (Monterey, CA)

The funds nosotros receive from the NEA are office of our financial portfolio that not only aid us keep going, but also assistance to support and build our communities to foster agreement, diversity, and creativity by bringing important artists that accept an important impact on our education programs.

"The NEA has consistently help fund artistic programs at the Monterey Jazz Festival since 1999. As a not-profit, the NEA and the land organizations that help back up the Monterey Jazz Festival bring valuable and revered cultural assets to Monterey County and to our audiences. The funds we receive from the NEA are part of our financial portfolio that not only help us keep going, merely too help to support and build our communities to foster understanding, diversity, and inventiveness by bringing of import artists that have an important impact on our instruction programs. In 2017, our Artist-In-Residence will exist John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, and Gerald Clayton, and they volition come to Monterey to piece of work direct with young musicians, which has an educational impact on them for the rest of their lives. Other recent Artists-In-Residence have included Terri Lyne Carrington, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Middle Orchestra, Dianne Reeves, Joshua Redman, and many others. There is just no substitute for direct experiential learning from jazz masters.

The NEA has also assist fund the creation of our commission pieces over the years besides, the Monterey Jazz Festival has a long historical precedent of debuting new works. John Clayton volition be writing our 2017 commission piece for the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra." —Tim Jackson, Artistic Director

People's Calorie-free (Malvern, PA)

"People's Lite in Malvern, PA has most recently received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to support customs-connected new play development and product. The NEA-funded New Play Frontiers program invites nationally noted playwrights to the People's Calorie-free 5-county Pennsylvania environs to learn nearly specific communities and be inspired by the people, institutions and history of the region. From this program emerged Projection Dawn by Karen Hartman, inspired past the women who run and are served by a revolutionary trouble-solving courtroom in Philadelphia for repeat prostitution offenders. An NEA grant supports the earth premiere of this remarkable play in June 2017.

From works past Kenneth Lin to Karen Hartman to William Shakespeare, the NEA has supported vibrant productions of excellence at People'due south Low-cal over the last xl years' work that reflects the broad diversity of our American civilisation and heritage. As audiences assemble at our campus for these plays, they support the well-existence of the businesses and greater economy surrounding our Theatre. And they come together for rare, shared live experiences that enlighten, delight, and provoke deep thinking and discussion." —Abigail Adams, Creative Director & CEO

The Court Theatre (Chicago, IL)

"The NEA has helped Courtroom Theatre produce idea-provoking and artistically aggressive archetype work since the early 1990s. In the past several years, the NEA has supported Court's commissioning program, bringing new work to the theatrical canon, and Courtroom's piece of work in the community. In 2016, the NEA helped fund Court's production of Terry Teachout'due south Satchmo at the Waldorf and a Louis Armstrong Festival, which brought together partner organizations in a community-wide celebration of Armstrong's music, life, and legacy. This winter, the NEA once more helped Court engage with the customs through a production of Pearl Cleage'southward Blues for an Alabama Sky at the heart of a commemoration of the Harlem Renaissance.

Over the past few decades, the NEA has helped enable so much of Court'due south about important work, and it has been an essential partner to Court. The support of the NEA has consistently inspired Court and its patrons to embrace a more ambitious artistic calendar." —Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director

5th Avenue Theatre (Seattle, WA)

"Located in Seattle, The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of the nation's leading musical theater companies with a deep delivery to creating Broadway-quotient productions and developing the nation'south new musical theatre. Since 2011, The fifth has premiered 17 new musicals, nine of which have gone on to Broadway including Best Musical Tony Honor-winners Hairspray and Memphis. Creating alive theater that serves our community is expensive, and like most theaters in the country, cannot exist funded through ticket sales alone. We are proud to say that the NEA has been with us, supporting usa forth the way. Their fiscal back up has been invaluable, allowing us appoint and entertain an audience of over 300,000 each year. Over 11 years, the NEA has provided the states with 11 unique grants totaling $435,000 that support our projects. Some of these include our 2011 committee, Rosie the Riveter, that travelled to elementary and middle schools across Washington; our 2016 "revisal" of Paint Your Wagon that featured a brand new book; and our 2017 reimagining of The Surreptitious Garden, currently poised for a Broadway revival.

Because of the NEA'southward acclaimed and highly competitive peer-based review process, state and urban center government, foundation, and individual funders can be assured that The fifth'southward productions and programs are of the highest artistic quality, providing the largest community impact.

Beyond the fiscal support-critical to any not-profit theater-one of the largest benefits of existence awarded an NEA grant is the huge seal of approving it provides, which allows u.s. to garner support from other sources. Because of the NEA's acclaimed and highly competitive peer-based review process, state and city government, foundation, and individual funders can be assured that The 5th's productions and programs are of the highest artistic quality, providing the largest community impact.

The 5th Avenue Theatre shares NEA's commitment to the transformative value that our piece of work has in our community. The Arts are intrinsically valuable, and make us all better human beings. They concur a mirror upward to nature, allowing us to reflect on history and culture-our own and others. The Arts instill empathy, offer insight when discourse and rhetoric neglect. As Winston Churchill counseled in 1938, "The arts are essential to any complete national life. The State owes it to itself to sustain and encourage them..Ill fares the race which fails to salute the arts with the reverence and please which are their due." Now, more than ever, the NEA, and the Arts, are worth fighting for." —David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director

Cleveland Play House (Cleveland, OH)

"Cleveland Play House is a proud recipient of support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Funds have enabled the creation of remarkable new works from a variety of sources, from local writers to Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes. They have helped to plant workforce evolution programs that have catapulted young professionals into successful careers in the arts. They accept mentored educators past pairing them with skilled artists and high quality arts-integrated curriculum in their classroom. They have introduced countless youth living in high poverty to theatre and exposed them to new worlds filled with people, places and ideas. In short, without support from the National Endowment, our community would not exist equally culturally enriched, economically vital, educationally sound or as filled with the hopes and dreams of children yearning for a more beautiful world across their insular communities." — Pamela DiPasquale, Director of Education

Theatreworks Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, CA)

"The NEA funding has allowed TheatreWorks Silicon Valley to workshop and create dozens of new plays and musicals, ranging from Memphis, which won the Tony Award for best musical in 2010, to Confederates, the riveting political drama which launched our flavour concluding year. TheatreWorks New Works Initiative has become richer and more robust with the help of the NEA. Our Writers' Retreat brings together height writers and composers, musicians and actors to create and try out new works at our headquarters, gratis from the demands of their daily lives. Our New Works Festival helps these and other talented artists further develop their work every bit they nowadays their untried fabric to big, enthusiastic audiences who relish getting an inside glimpse on how art makes it from the folio to phase." —Barbara Shapiro, Chair of the Board of Directors

Victory Gardens (Chicago, IL)

"The National Endowment for the Arts has our constant and passionate marry in building bridges between the work nosotros create on stage and the many Chicago communities we serve. Thanks to their support, Victory Gardens has been able to produce plays that reflect, stand for and unify our culturally diverse city. From plays that address gun violence to parental surrogacy, from a call center in Bharat to suburban Andersonville, we are able to provide a public platform for our audiences to dialogue current issues and farther define their citizenship. It is through the NEA that our American artists are able to give more visibility to Chicago's invisible populations. It is through NEA leadership that our storytellers are charged with amplifying the frequently silent voices that make up this country'south vast history. Since its inception, this essential agency has birthed new American stories—sending them from towns to cities, and to the rest of the earth. The National Endowment for the Arts is the beating centre of the United states of america." —Chay Yew, Artistic Managing director

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