Utah Symphony Receives $10,000 in Arts Grants

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Chu announced in early December that Utah Symphony is one of 919 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. Utah Symphony is recommended for a $10,000 grant to support the world premiere performances of a new orchestral work by American composer Augusta Read Thomas.

Utah Symphony commissioned Augusta Read Thomas to write a new work titled "EOS for Orchestra," to be world premiered and conducted by Music Director Thierry Fischer at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City and at Weber State University in Ogden in February 2015. The composer, with Artistic Director Anthony Tolokan, will participate in artist lectures prior to each performance. An online blog post written by Clovis Lark, the orchestra's librarian and longtime colleague of Thomas, during the week before the premiere performances will feature more information about the work and a listener's guide.

NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, "I'm pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to Utah Symphony. The arts foster value, connection, creativity and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives."

"I am extremely pleased that we have the support of the National Endowment for the Arts in bringing fabulous composers such as Augusta Read Thomas to Utah. We are fortunate as an orchestra to be able to commission works by living composers," said Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer. "It's our responsibility to present historical compositions but also crucial that we keep classical music alive by creating exciting opportunities for composers, musicians, and audiences in our community. Today's music is tomorrow's culture."

This commission is the fourth for the orchestra in the five years of Maestro Fischer's tenure as Music Director. This collaboration between Ms. Read Thomas, Maestro Fischer and the Utah Symphony furthers the mission and commitment of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera as an institution that not only curates and performs music from the past, but also supports the creation of new works by living composers and celebrates them on our main stage.

Art Works grants support the creation of art, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,474 eligible applications under the Art Works category, requesting more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 919 are recommended for grants for a total of $26.6 million.

For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov. Follow the conversation about this and other NEA?funded projects on Twitter at #NEAFall2014

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