WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Endowment for the Arts announces grant awards totaling $1,360,000 through the Challenge America Reaching Every Community Fast-Track grant program. Bringing the arts to all Americans is a significant part of the NEA's mission and this program is integral to that effort. One 136 grants of $10,000 each will be given to primarily small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.
Many projects emphasize the potential of the arts to help strengthen communities through cultural tourism, neighborhood enhancements, festivals, cultural plan feasibility studies, and design competitions. In addition, projects often feature partnerships between arts organizations and other cultural, educational, or civic organizations.
Finally, this program has an expedited application review so that applicants are notified whether they have been recommended for a grant approximately six months after they apply, as opposed to the regular nine-month review process.
National Endowment for the Arts Deputy Chairman for Grants and Awards Tony Chauveaux said, "Providing broad access to the arts is key to the NEA's work. This program provides opportunities for people in communities as diverse as Aliceville, Alabama and San Francisco, California to participate in arts events."
Examples of this year's Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track projects are:
TENNESSEE
Actors Co-op, Inc., Knoxville: To support the presentation of "Landscape With Stick Figures," a project about school violence. Author Alan McGaw will be in residence to assist the company in the production of this docu-drama about a fictional school shooting.
Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville: To support the exhibition "SubUrban: Tim Davis." The guest artist will participate in the opening of the exhibit, a lecture about his work, and an artist residency with inner city high school students.
VIRGINIA
Renaissance Music Academy of Virginia, Blacksburg: To support concerts and lectures by the Vanbrugh Quartet. The Irish musicians will perform school and evening chamber music concerts for rural communities.
Richmond Philharmonic, Inc., Richmond: To support Celebrating Spanish Culture Through Music. The orchestra will present concerts designed to increase knowledge of Spanish orchestral music and other cultural traditions.
NORTH CAROLINA
Greensboro Symphony Society, Inc., Greensboro: To support the Community Gospel Concert. Several hundred choristers will be led by composer, pianist Richard Smallwood in celebration of the anniversary of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.
Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, Inc., Hendersonville: To support the presentation of "German Requiem" by Brahms. Related activities include a panel discussion prior to the performance and a masterclass with guest soloists Erin Kelly and Joshua Copeland.
Tryon Fine Arts Center, Tryon: To support performances by the Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company. Activities will include Q&A sessions with the artists, a children's performance, and a viewing of the film The Dance Maker.
KENTUCKY
Appalachian Heritage Alliance, Inc., Campton: To support the Appalachian Circuit Writers. Kentucky authors will conduct readings of their work and provide writers' workshops at selected libraries in Eastern Kentucky.
To see the complete list of Challenge America Fast-Track Grants or for more information, visit www.arts.gov.
