Rep. Nancy L. Johnson Hosts National Endowment for the Arts at Workshop for Connecticut Nonprofit Arts Organizations

		Contact: Paulette Beete (NEA) 202-682-5570 Brian Schubert (Rep. Johnson) (202) 225-4476

Arts and community groups learn more about NEA grant process

NEA also announces two grants to Connecticut arts organizations

November 14, 2005

Washington, D.C. - Representative Nancy L. Johnson of Connecticut's Fifth District today hosted a special workshop conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for local nonprofit community arts organizations. The workshop was part of the agency's outreach to Connecticut arts organizations to inform them about federal arts funding opportunities and encourage them to apply for Arts Endowment grants.

"I'm very happy to welcome the National Endowment for the Arts to the Fifth District for today's grant workshop," said Representative Johnson. "Today we help celebrate Connecticut's rich arts heritage by announcing two important grants to deserving arts groups, as well as a national fellowship for a talented local artist. I appreciate the Art Endowment's commitment to ensuring that communities and arts organizations of all sizes have the opportunity to be competitive when applying for federal arts money."

At a press conference before the workshop, NEA Senior Deputy Chairman Eileen Corwin Mason explained the purpose of the workshop. "The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to supporting the arts in communities throughout the country, " said Ms. Mason. "I am delighted to be here in Waterbury today to encourage local arts organizations to apply for federal arts grants."

Rep. Johnson also announced that two arts groups in the fifth district had been awarded grants by the Arts Endowment for 2006. Waterbury's Mattatuck Historical Society was awarded a $10,000 Challenge America grant to support summer music and dance performances on the Waterbury Green. Pilobolus Dance Theatre of Washington Depot was awarded a $10,000 Access to Artistic Excellence grant to support the creation and presentation of Calabi-yua, a new work by choreographer Alison Chase. Marie Galbraith, Executive Director of the Mattatuck Historical Society, and Jonathan Wolken, Artistic Director of Pilobolus Dance Theatre, also participated in the press conference.

Rep. Johnson also presented a special Congressional resolution recognizing Waterbury resident Eldrid Skjold Arntzen, a 2005 NEA National Heritage Fellow. The NEA National Heritage Fellowship is the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Ms. Arntzen received the award for her lifetime accomplishments in the art of Norwegian rosemaling.

The press conference and grants workshop were held at the Waterbury Arts Magnet School. John Ostrout, NEA Director of State and Regional Partnerships, led the free session with Janelle Ott, a grants specialist in the Agency's dance division. The session 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.

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