Press Releases

USArtists International Announces 2009 Second Round Grants
Program Supports U.S. Performing Artists at International Engagements

Baltimore, MD - March 17, 2009 - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is pleased to announce the second round grantees for the 2009 USArtists International ("USAI") program, the only national initiative solely dedicated to ensuring that the impressive range of the performing arts in the United States is represented abroad. The program works to strengthen the creative and professional development of American dance, music and theatre artists by providing grants to support their performances around the world at significant international festivals and engagements that represent extraordinary career opportunities.

In this latest round of funding, 37 grants are awarded to support performing arts ensembles and soloists at festival engagements in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. This is an increase over 17 grants awarded in the first round. Grantees range from Alonzo King's California-based ballet company Lines, to the experimental jazz of New Jersey's Jason Kao Hwang's quartet Edge, and from New York theater pioneers Mabou Mines to the traditional Cajun music of Louisiana's Feufollet. A complete list of funded ensembles can be found here.

Mid Atlantic received 83 eligible applications requesting grant support for this round, a 319% increase over first round applications. The grantees were recommended after a three-day review by a panel of experts in the performing arts field including:

Music Panelists

>Timothy Jackson, Monterey, CA, General Manager, Monterey Jazz Festival
> Mari Kimura, New York, NY, Composer/Violinist
> Jeff Parks, Washington, DC, Director of Programming, Washington Performing Arts Society
> Pamela Z, San Francisco, CA, Composer/Performer

Dance/Theater Panelists

> Leslee Asch, New York, NY, Executive Director, National Dance Institute
> Bonnie Brooks, Chicago, IL, Department Chair, Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago
> Paul King, Portland, OR, Co-Founder, White Bird Dance
> Janera Solomon, Pittsburgh, PA, Executive Director, Kelly Strayhorn Theater

In the United States, the public and private sectors work collaboratively to support the arts. USAI continues that important tradition with support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Trust for Mutual Understanding.

About Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation ("MAAF") is one of six regional arts organizations in the United States. Created in 1979, the Foundation primarily conducts programs across nine states and jurisdictions, including Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia, the organization also works nationally and internationally. MAAF advances the arts through specialized activities in the following select program areas: Presenting, Touring, and Exhibiting; Artist Support, Projects and Residencies; and Knowledge Building. Each of these areas is designed to support excellence; enhance access to the arts of the region, nation, and world; and broaden the reach of artists and arts organizations. Programs serve a diverse range of artists, organizations and audiences in the literary, performing and visual arts.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.
http://www.arts.gov