Press Releases

USArtists International Announces First Round Grants

Program Supports U.S. Performing Artists at International Engagements

Baltimore, MD - November 16, 2009 - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is pleased to announce the first round grantees for the 2009-2010 USArtists International ("USAI") program, the only national initiative solely dedicated to ensuring that the impressive range of expression 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.
 
The latest round of grants will support 14 performing arts ensembles and soloists at festival engagements in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland, Tanzania and the United Kingdom. Grantees range from acclaimed New York-based multidisciplinary artist Meredith Monk to the brass-funk Debo Band from Boston and from the world-renowned Limón Dance Company to theatre artist Lynn Manning from Los Angeles. A complete list of funded ensembles can be found here.
 
First round grantees were recommended after a panel review of experts in the performing arts field including:

Anthony Brown, Composer/Ethnomusicologist
University of California, Berkeley, (Berkeley, CA)

Simon Dove, Director, School of Dance
Arizona State University, (Tempe, AZ)

Zeyba Rahman, Producer
Jungli Billi Productions, (New York, NY)

Shay Wafer, Vice President of Programs
August Wilson Center of African American Culture, (Pittsburgh, PA)
 
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 and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. 

About Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation celebrates and supports the wealth and diversity of the region's arts resources and works to make those resources widely accessible both in the region and beyond.  To learn more about MAAF, its programs and services, visit our Web site at www.midatlanticarts.org

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.
Website: http://arts.endow.gov