The Foundation's Special Presenter Initiatives offer small and mid-sized presenting organizations in Delaware, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands the opportunity to apply for grants to broaden their programming and expand audiences. January application deadlines are quickly approaching: 

• DC Performing Arts Presenters Initiative - Wednesday, January 26, 2011
• Delaware Performing Arts Presenters Initiative - Monday, January 24, 2011
• Virgin Islands Performing Arts Presenters Initiative - Monday, January 24, 2011

Guidelines and applications for the Special Presenter Initiatives can be found here. For more information on the Special Presenter Initiatives, click here. Questions should be directed to Krista Bradley, Program Officer, Performing Arts at krista@midatlanticarts.org.

ArtsCONNECT Grantee Parsons Dance Company

Guidelines are now available for the 2011-2012 ArtsCONNECT program, which supports performing arts tours across the mid-Atlantic region developed through consortia of presenting organizations. Tours include public performances and complementary activities that provide audiences with a greater appreciation for the arts and enhance their concert experience.  Participating presenters must be located in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia or West Virginia. Presenter consortia are required to include a minimum of three presenting organizations from, at least, two of the eligible states and jurisdictions. Applications that exceed this minimum requirement receive priority consideration. The application deadline is Monday, March 21, 2011 for projects taking place between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. The application will be available on the Foundation website after January 31, 2011. Questions concerning the ArtsCONNECT program should be directed to Krista Bradley, Program Officer, Performing Arts, at krista@midatlanticarts.org.

ArtsCONNECT Grantee Sol y Canto. Photo by Hiep Socorro.

Tours are beginning to take shape across the mid-Atlantic region in preparation for the ArtsCONNECT grant deadline of March 21, 2011.  The Foundation will be preparing the first installment of a list of potential ArtsCONNECT projects in development and projects seeking partners in the coming weeks to share with presenters in the region. If you are a presenter considering an ArtsCONNECT project and looking for project partners, please email Krista Bradley, Program Officer, Performing Arts at krista@midatlanticarts.org for an electronic project listing submission form.  The submission deadline for the first installment of ArtsCONNECT Projects in Development is Monday, December 20, 2010.

If you're attending the Association of Performing Arts Presenters annual conference in New York on January 7- 11, 2011 and wish to speak with staff about funding opportunities available through the Foundation's programs, including PennPAT, please visit our booth, #303.

Congratulations to the following artists that have received support through MAAF programs (shown in parentheses below) and have been nominated for Grammy Awards this year!

• Bettye La Vette - Best Blues Album (Mid Atlantic Tours);
• Gerald Clayton - Best Instrumental Composition and Best Jazz Instrumental Album (American Masterpieces);
• John Scofield - Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album (Mid Atlantic Tours);
• Esperanza Spalding - Best New Artist (Jazz Touring Network);
• Darcy James Argue's Secret Society - Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album (USArtists International); and
• Feufollet - Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album (USArtists International).

And a special round of applause to Mid Atlantic board member and current ArtsCONNECT participant and former American Masterpieces roster artist Vijay Iyer for his nomination for Best Instrumental Jazz Album!