U.S. Rep. Charles Dent Hosts National Endowment for the Arts at Workshop for Allentown Area Nonprofit Arts Organizations

Arts and Community Groups Convene to Learn More About NEA Grant Process

NEA also Announces Grant to Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

May 2, 2005

		Contact: Paulette Beete NEA 202-682-5601 Gregg Bortz (Rep. Dent) 610-861-9734

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Charles W. Dent of Pennsylvania's 15th District today hosted a special workshop conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts for Allentown area nonprofit community arts organizations. The workshop was part of the agency's outreach to Pennsylvania organizations to inform them about federal arts funding opportunities and encourage them to apply for Arts Endowment grants.

"It is a distinct honor for the Lehigh Valley area to be chosen as a grants workshop site by the National Endowment for the Arts, and we are extremely pleased to host this important outreach effort," said Congressman Dent. "We are glad the NEA is joining hands with local arts organizations in further strengthening the lively and vibrant arts community we enjoy here in the Lehigh Valley. This is an outstanding opportunity, and we thank the NEA for their contribution to and recognition of the value of arts promotion in our region."

At a press conference before the workshop, NEA Senior Deputy Chairman Eileen B. Mason explained the purpose of the workshop. Rep. Dent also announced a newly awarded grant from the Arts Endowment to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival to support participation in the agency's Shakespeare in American Communities: Shakespeare for a New Generation program. (The Arts Endowment will release the full list of grantees for that program on May 12.)

"We are especially excited to also announce today a major award to the Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University, which will receive $25,000 from the NEA through its prestigious Shakespeare for a New Generation initiative," said Congressman Dent. "We couldn't be more pleased to be on the receiving end of the NEA's generosity." Also participating in the press conference with Rep. Dent and Ms. Mason was Mr. Randall Forte, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, and Mr. Patrick Mulcahy, Producing Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Other local civic and arts leaders were also in attendance.

The grants workshop was held in the Community Room at the Baum School of Art. Felicia K. Knight, NEA Director of Communications, and Douglas Sonntag, NEA Director of National Initiatives, led the free session, which included a discussion of federal opportunities for projects that:

• provide hands-on learning in the arts for children and youth (pre-K to Grade 12) in schools, arts organizations and community centers;
• help preserve cultural traditions through documentation, publications, exhibits, apprenticeships and conservation;
• provide access to the arts in underserved communities; and
• involve the creation or presentation of works of art, including performances, exhibitions, and festivals.

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.

Congressman Dent represents Pennsylvania's 15th District, which includes all or parts of Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery, and Berks Counties.

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