American Theatre Wing Receives NEA Grant for SpringboardNYC, Theatre Intern Group Programs

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced today that the American Theatre Wing is one of 886 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. The American Theatre Wing is recommended for a $20,000 grant to support their SpringboardNYC and Theatre Intern Group programs.

SpringboardNYC prepares promising college acting students for a dynamic career in theatre through a two-week "boot camp" taught by prominent members of New York City's theatrical community. Since its inception in 2005, SpringboardNYC has helped launch the careers of a diverse group of over 350 young professionals, 90% of whom are still working in the industry. The Theatre Intern Group provides professional development opportunities for young people beginning careers in commercial and nonprofit theatre offices. Monthly panel discussions examine the varied facets of the theatre industry, offering insight into theatre management, finances, marketing and promotion, producing, and more. Theatre Intern Group serves more than 150 interns per year, distributes over 1,200 free theatre tickets annually, and helps over 1,000 alumni maintain a network with their peers.

NEA Acting Chairman Shigekawa said, "The NEA is pleased to announce that the American Theatre Wing is recommended for an NEA Art Works grant. These NEA-supported projects will not only have a positive impact on local economies, but will also provide opportunities for people of all ages to participate in the arts, help our communities to become more vibrant, and support our nation's artists as they contribute to our cultural landscape."

American Theatre Wing Executive Director Heather A. Hitchens said, "Through these programs, we bring together a diverse group of aspiring young stage actors and theatre industry leaders from across the country, connect them with extraordinary mentors and a network of peers, and prepare them for leading roles onstage and behind the scenes. We are delighted that the NEA has once again joined in our commitment to develop the next generation of theatre professionals."

Art Works grants support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,515 eligible applications under the Art Works category, requesting more than $76 million in funding. Of those applications, 886 are recommended for grants for a total of $25.8 million.

For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.

The American Theatre Wing (William Ivey Long, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) is dedicated to advancing artistic excellence and nurturing theatre's next generation: on stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience.

For nearly a century, the Wing has pursued this mission with programs that span the nation to invest in the growth and evolution of American Theatre. Traditionally, the Wing has encouraged members of the theatre community to share their off-stage time and talent directly with the theatre audience at large--whether it was singing for the troops in the Stage Door Canteen of the 1940's, or sharing their stories on a podcast today.

As the founders of The Tony Awards, the American Theatre Wing has developed the foremost national platform for the recognition of theatrical achievement on Broadway. Yet the Wing's reach extends beyond Broadway and beyond New York. The Wing develops the next generation of theatre professionals through the SpringboardNYC and Theatre Intern Group programs, incubates innovative theatre across the country through the National Theatre Company Grants, fosters the song of American theatre through the Jonathan Larson Grants, and illuminates the creative process through the "Working in the Theatre" program and media archive.

Visitors to americantheatrewing.org can get inspired and gain insight into the artistic process through the Wing's extensive media collection, and learn more about its programming for students, aspiring and working professionals, and audiences.

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