Indiana nonprofit arts providers and artists to receive NEA grants

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced today the awarding of 11 grants totaling $215,000 to Indiana nonprofit arts organizations, cultural programming providers, and individual artists during the first round of grants for fiscal year 2019.

The NEA announced more than $27 million to be awarded in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This is the first of two major grant announcements in fiscal year 2019 and includes three of the agency’s funding categories: Art Works and Challenge America to support projects by nonprofit organizations, and Creative Writing Fellowships. Through these grants, the NEA supports local economies and preserves American heritage while embracing new forms of creative expression.

“The arts enhance our communities and our lives, and we look forward to seeing these projects take place throughout the country, giving Americans opportunities to learn, to create, to heal, and to celebrate,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the NEA.

Indiana grants include:

Rachel Custer                               Albion, IN                $25,000 Creative Writing Fellowship

Adrian Matejka                              Bloomington, IN       $25,000 Creative Writing Fellowship

American Cello Institute                 Bloomington, IN       $10,000 Challenge America
To support a free music festival concert performed by the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, and related outreach at venues throughout Puerto Rico.

Indiana Repertory Theatre               Indianapolis, IN        $20,000 Art Works
To support the commissioning and development of Finding Home: Indianapolis at 200, a new devised theater piece with music.

Indiana State University                  Terre Haute, IN        $10,000 Art Works
To support composer and musicians’ fees for the annual Contemporary Music Festival.

Indianapolis Museum of Art             Indianapolis, IN       $30,000 Art Works
To support Newfields’ Year of Japan, a series of exhibitions of Japanese paintings, prints, fashion, Noh masks, and Samurai armor.

Lotus Education & Arts Foundation  Bloomington, IN      $35,000 Art Works
To support the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival.

Society of Ethnomusicology            Bloomington, IN       $15,000 Art Works
To support conferences about public and applied ethnomusicology.

South Bend Symphony Orchestra    South Bend, IN        $10,000 Challenge America
To support the annual MLK Day Concert and associate outreach activities, featuring cellist Levi Powe.

University of Saint Francis              Fort Wayne, IN        $25,000 Art Works
To support the Jesters performing arts program.

Young Audiences of Indiana            Indianapolis, IN         $10,000 Challenge America
To support a series of educational workshops that will culminate with the fabrication and installation of public art.

“The Indiana Arts Commission congratulates these organizations and artists for the outstanding work they do, which is being recognized and supported through the NEA’s investment in our state,” said Lewis C. Ricci, Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission.