Press Releases

USArtists International Guidelines Available
Program Supports U.S. Artists at International Festivals

Baltimore, MD –The National Endowment for the Arts announces the availability of guidelines for the 2007/2008 cycle of USArtists International, a program designed to support U.S. artists at international festivals. USArtists International (USAI) is administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

USAI provides support for U.S. dance and music ensembles that have been invited to participate in international festivals in the European Union. Eligible countries include: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Applicants must be designated by the I.R.S. as a 501(c)3 organization, or have a fiscal agent that is designated as a 501(c)3 organization.

Guidelines for USAI are available online at www.midatlanticarts.org or by calling the Foundation at 410.539.6656 x100. The deadlines for the program are January 15, 2007 for projects taking place between March 16, 2007 and February 28, 2008 and May 7, 2007 for projects taking place between July 2, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

USAI is committed to ensuring that the impressive range of expression and creativity of the U.S. performing arts is represented at international festivals abroad. The program works to strengthen the creative and professional development of U.S. artists by providing support for their performances at significant international festivals. Through the participation of exemplary U.S. artists in international festivals, USAI will help develop audiences for, and appreciation of, the excellence, diversity and vitality of the American arts.

During the first round of USAI, thirty-seven ensembles performed at festivals throughout the European Union, including the International American Modern Dance Festival, Latvia; BBC Proms, England; Edinburgh International Festival 2005, Scotland; HERMES' EAR, Slovak Republic; Free Music Festival, Belgium; Les Gemeaux, France; Kerava Jazz Festival, Finland; Mediawave Festival, Hungary; Sounds of the Dolomites, Italy; Patras Cultural Capital of Europe, Greece; International Beethovenfeste, Germany; The Granada International Music and Dance Festival, Spain; New Crowned Hope Festival, Austria; Festival of Polish Music in Crakow, Poland; The Sintra Festival, Portugal; and others. Artists have included a wide range of large and small dance and music ensembles – from the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in New York to Illstyle & Peace in Pennsylvania and from the Kronos Quartet in California to the Minnesota Orchestra. A complete listing of artists and festivals can be found at www.midatlanticarts.org.

In the United States, the public and private sectors work in partnership to support the arts. USAI continues that important tradition by providing grants for performances of U.S. artists abroad. The National Endowment for the Arts and Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation seek to build a foundation for the expansion of USAI to include other arts disciplines and geographic regions in coming years.

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation supports the richness and diversity of the region’s arts resources and promotes wider access to the art and artists of the region, nation and world. To learn more about MAAF, its programs and services, visit our Web site www.midatlanticarts.org.