The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts gave a boost to local arts organizations performing the work of American master artists and works of art by distributing $50,000 in federal grant support through "American Masterpieces,", a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the State Arts Council.
"American Masterpieces" is a federally-funded project designed "to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy." Through this partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the states, grant support goes to sponsor performances, exhibitions, tours and educational programs that reach large and small communities in all 50 states.
In Rhode Island, the State Arts Council awarded seven grants to organizations as large as Trinity Repertory Company - for performances of "A Raisin in the Sun" - and as small as the Cumberland-Lincoln Community Chorus - for the presentation of the choral work of American composers.
Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, praised this state-federal partnership. "Americans are more familiar with the work of western European composers and playwrights than the work of their own countrymen. These federal funds help us support programs that share important works of American culture with audiences throughout our state."
The following is a list of grants awarded by the State Arts Council in the American Masterpieces category:
Community MusicWorks, Providence - $5,000 to support performances and educational programs throughout the state involving the work of American master composer Samuel Barber.
Cumberland-Lincoln Community Chorus, Lincoln - $5,000 to support the ‘America Sings’ performances featuring the work of American master composers.
Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, Pawtucket - $10,000 to support the production of ‘Awake and Sing’ by American master playwright Clifford Odets.
Festival Ballet Providence, Providence - $10,000 to support the production and performance of works by George Balanchine, a master American choreographer.
Fusionworks, Lincoln - $5,000 to support the performance of a series of works by master American choreographers.
The Providence Singers, East Providence - $9,000 to support the performances and professional recording of “Jonah and the Whale”, a work by master American composer Dominick Argento.
Trinity Repertory Company, Providence - $10,000 to support the production and performances of “A Raisin in the Sun” by master American playwright Lorraine Hansberry.
About the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency, supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders. For more information on RISCA and its programs, please visit www.arts.ri.gov.