Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has announced 69 grant awards totaling $600,125 in fee support for 16 performing arts ensembles through its 2010 ArtsCONNECT program. The program supports performing arts tours in the mid-Atlantic region developed through presenter consortia. Grants are awarded directly to the organizations presenting the artists' engagements. Many of the funded engagements will feature workshops, residencies, or master classes in conjunction with public performances.

This year's grants will support the presentation of engagements by 500 Clown, The Actor's Gang, Axis Dance Company, Bang on a Can, Cie. Willie Dorner Dance, Circo Aereo, Cynthia Oliver Dance Theater, Doug Elkins Dance Company, Jeremy Wade, Koresh Dance Company, Kronos Quartet, Noreum Machi, The Overtone Quartet, River North Dance Company, The Termite Club, and Thank You, Gregory! - A Tribute to the Legends of Tap.

ArtsCONNECT 2010 grants will support performing arts presenters in the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.  A complete list of ArtsCONNECT grants, including local venues and artists, can be accessed here. For specific performance dates and times, please contact the appropriate presenting organization. 

Photo: 2010 ArtsCONNECT artist Circo Aereo artists Markus Lahtinen and Maksim Komaro. © Heli Sorjonen.

The application deadline for the Foundation's 2010 Jazz Touring Network program is Friday, July 31, 2009. The Network is a membership program created to expand the number of nonprofit venues in the mid-Atlantic region that present jazz on a regular basis. Members receive performance fee subsidies for presenting jazz engagements and support to attend bi-annual meetings that provide opportunities for professional development and peer interaction. The program is open to applications from presenting organizations within the mid-Atlantic region that have had little to no experience presenting jazz.  To view the guidelines click here. Questions concerning the program should be directed to Sara Donnelly, Program Officer, Jazz at sara@midatlanticarts.org or 410-539-6656 x116.
 

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation administers individual artist fellowship programs on behalf of the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. While the application deadline for 2010 New Jersey fellowships has already passed, there is still time for artists to submit applications for their respective state awards as follows:
 
Delaware deadline:  August 3, 2009
Maryland deadline: July 30, 2009
Pennsylvania deadline:  August 3, 2009
 
For more information on the state fellowships, including eligible categories, guidelines and online applications, click here.  Questions concerning the individual artist awards should be directed to Ann Turiano, Program Assistant, Fellowships at ann@midatlanticarts.org or 410-539-6656 x101.

The Foundation's USArtists International program awarded $126,000 in its latest grants round.  The program, dedicated to ensuring that the impressive range of expression in the performing arts in the United States is represented abroad, works to strengthen the creative and professional development of American dance, music and theatre artists by providing grants to support their performances at significant international festivals and engagements that represent extraordinary career opportunities. The most recent grants will support 24 performing arts ensembles and soloists at engagements in Argentina, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. Grantees range from California-based Kronos Quartet to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and from New York experimental theater ensemble the Nature Company of Oklahoma to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. A complete list of funded ensembles and festival engagements can be found here.

Photo: Third round USAI grantee Nasheet Waits will perform at Jazz Baltica in Germany and Jazz a Vienne in France. © Ryan O'Rourke

This month's Mid Atlantic Forum essay introduces a new academic program in the region focusing on cultural sustainability.  The program's director at Goucher College, Rory Turner, discusses his institution's commitment to cultural sustainability, which is concerned with actively identifying, protecting, and enhancing cultural traditions. To read this month's essay, click here.
 
The Mid Atlantic Forum features essays by folklorists, folk artists and friends of the field seeking to further an exchange of information and ideas about issues and practice in the traditional arts. To join the mailing list or provide feedback on Forum essays, write Sally Van de Water at sally@midatlanticarts.org. For a complete list of past Forum essays, click here.