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National Endowment for the Arts and the Journalism School at Columbia Stage the Third Arts Journalism Institute on Classical Music and Opera
June 20, 2006 New York City - The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Journalism School at Columbia University today announced the third NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera. The institute is part of a series of linked programs across the country that focus on improving arts criticism in classical music, opera, theater, and dance. It will take place October 15-25, 2006 at Columbia University. "All the American arts depend on media coverage and intelligent criticism. This is especially true for music, where institutions and performers thrive on insightful coverage and reviews," said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. "The NEA Arts Journalism Institutes bring working critics from all over the country together to develop their skills. This program improves both the quantity and quality of this country's journalism, which benefits both the artists and the public. We are delighted to continue working with Columbia University's outstanding professional development program." The NEA Arts Journalism Institutes are helping to establish the importance of professional training in the coverage of the arts through lectures and seminars with leaders in higher education, the arts and journalism. The programs are designed for print and broadcast journalists located outside the country's largest media markets, where professional development opportunities are limited. Institutes for dance critics also are being hosted by the American Dance Festival at Duke University and for theater critics at the University of Southern California. The program covers most of the participants's expenses. "We are grateful to the NEA for giving The Journalism School the opportunity to deepen its service to the profession," said Nicholas Lemann, dean. "The NEA's grant makes it possible to provide journalists from all over the country with a wonderful means of learning more about classical music and opera. Over time these institutes should have a demonstrable positive effect on American journalism in each of these areas." Andras Szanto will direct the institute at Columbia, in collaboration with artistic advisor Joseph Horowitz and institute producer Anya Grundmann. "The first two years of the institute have succeeded beyond our wildest dreams," said Szanto. "Participants describe the program as the most important professional development experience of their lives, and its impact is widely felt. We're thrilled that another group of journalists can benefit from this learning opportunity." The attendees will work with senior journalists and faculty members to improve their viewing, analytical, and writing skills. Because Columbia is located in the cultural capital of the world, participants will have the unique opportunity to attend performances that cover a wide variety of genres, as well as rehearsals and behind-the-scenes meetings with artists and administrators of New York's leading classical music presenting organizations. The journalists also develop a firsthand understanding of artistic creation through a physical learning component, such as a basic lesson on a musical instrument. Invited faculty and speakers include classical music critics Justin Davidson, Jeremy Eichler, Anne Midgette, James Oestreich, John Rockwell, Alex Ross, and Terry Teachout; and music professors Michael Beckerman, Karen Hanson, and Elaine Sisman. Institute participants will meet members of the senior staff of Carnegie Hall, the American Symphony Orchestra League, Lincoln Center, the New York Philharmonic, and other leading music institutions. This year's group will also attend Anthony Minghella's new Madame Butterfly at the Metropolitan Opera, composer Steve Reich's celebration at Carnegie Hall, and performances featuring Valery Gergiev, Gil Shaham, and Andras Schiff, among other events. For more information, visit www.jrn.columbia.edu/events/nea/. *** For almost a century, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism has been preparing journalists in a program that stresses academic rigor, ethics, journalistic inquiry and professional practice. Founded by Joseph Pulitzer in 1912, the school offers Master of Science, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. This year, the National Endowment for the Arts marks its 40th anniversary of leadership in the arts. The NEA 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 Arts Endowment is the largest national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.
National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency |
