Eight Hoosier arts providers, artists to receive NEA grants

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced today that six Indiana arts organizations and two individual artists will receive a total of $172,500 in grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA will be awarding almost $27 million nationwide during its first round of major grants to support 1,207 projects nationwide. Indiana grants include:

Indiana Repertory Theatre,    Indianapolis  $30,000
This Access to Artistic Excellence grant will help commission and develop a play based on Sen. Robert Kennedy's speech in Indianapolis on the night of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination

Indiana University,     Bloomington  $30,000
This Access to Artistic Excellence grant will involve a touring exhibit of panels that celebrate exceptional traditional artists from Indiana and augment them with other online resources and public presentations

Frances Hwang,       South Bend  $25,000
This Access to Artistic Excellence literature fellowship grant is to encourage production of new work

Margaret McMullan,      Evansville   $25,000
This Access to Artistic Excellence literature fellowship grant is to encourage production of new work

Indianapolis Symphony Society, Inc.  Indianapolis  $22,500
To support commission and presentation of a new work entitled The Green Concerto to be performed by the Indianapolis Symphony, with related educational activities

New Harmony Project, Inc.     Indianapolis  $15,000
This Access to Artistic Excellence grant will support a two-week writers conference for new play development. Educational programs and opportunities for local residents will also be offered

Very Special Arts of Indiana    Indianapolis  $15,000
This Access to Artistic Excellence grant will help support community art classes targeted for children and adults with disabilities as well as at-risk populations. Instructors trained in adaptive arts techniques will provide training in visual arts, clay, music, and theater
 
South Bend Symphony Orchestra   South Bend  $10,000
This Access to Artistic Excellence grant will support Remembered in Music: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. The concert for full orchestra and chorus will incorporate a program illustrating the ideals of Dr. King's philosophy of a unified and collaborative community

"We are supporting projects that have great works of art at the heart of them; that work to inspire and transport audiences and visitors; and that create and retain opportunities for artists and arts workers to be part of this country's real economy," said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. "It is our job at the NEA to support excellence in the arts, and to connect more Americans with more art, more often. This round of grants certainly furthers that mission."

On behalf of the people of Indiana, the Indiana Arts Commission advocates engagement with the arts to enrich the quality of individual and community life.