Several area arts organizations have received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The funds were announced as part of the endowment’s second major disbursement for the year—a total of $37 million.
In this region, Visual Studies Workshop, Garth Fagan Dance, Rochester Fringe Festival, Geneva Music Festival and Shake on the Lake in Perry, Wyoming County, were named recipients.
“These projects exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” says NEA chair Maria Rosario Jackson. “So many aspects of our communities such as cultural vitality, health and well-being, infrastructure, and the economy are advanced and improved through investments in art and design, and this funding at the local, state, and regional levels demonstrates the National Endowment for the Arts’ commitment to ensuring people across the country benefit.”
Rochester Fringe Festival will get $50,000 toward its efforts in presenting and sharing multidisciplinary art. The fall festival, which marked its 12th season last year, features hundreds of performances across multiple venues including art forms like comedy, live music, dance and theater.
Garth Fagan Dance received $30,000 to support restaging historical work, performances, and associated engagement activities.
Visual Studies Workshop expects to use its $20,000 grant for an interactive exhibition of emerging digital technologies and related public programming. In a four-month exhibition, VSW expects to feature playable installations, performances, and demonstrations by five artists working in video games and emerging digital technologies held at its Media Exhibition gallery. The works will include artists who challenge mainstream commercial video game culture through experimental play, radical aesthetics, and use of DIY, counter-capitalist methodologies, officials say. Nilson Carroll is curator.
Shake on the Lake, a theater company in Perry, received $25,000 to support the New York State puppet festival. The festival is curated by Josh Rice, co-founder of Shake on the Lake.
The Geneva Music Festival received $15,000 to help its work. The festival, which started 14 years ago, focuses on chamber music. The funds support the festival’s performances and educational activities.
NEA’s Grants for Arts Projects aims to boost the nation’s arts and culture. For this round, 1,135 projects were chosen in a competitive process. The area’s awardees competed with other arts organizations in 48 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
The next deadline for organizations interested in applying for Grants for Arts Projects is July 11.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].