Jose Mateo, Founder and Artistic Director of Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre to Receive the Commonwealth Award,

José Mateo, Founder and Artistic Director of the José Mateo Ballet Theatre (JMBT), will be presented with the esteemed Commonwealth Award for Achievement, the highest honor in arts, humanities, and sciences in the State of Massachusetts awarded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:00PM at the Massachusetts State House. "I believe that I am receiving this award on behalf of the many artists and their supporters and collaborators who work incessantly to provide artistic experiences that are out of the ordinary and somehow meaningful to all people of our diverse communities," says Mateo. Each of us knows the rewarding signs from those we quietly impact along the way. When we are honored more broadly with this level of public recognition, it not only validates the work but it re-motivates us -- we become more hopeful."

The honorees, chosen every two years, are those who have exhibited exceptional achievement in the arts, humanities, and sciences. State government leaders will be on hand to present the Awards. The ceremony will also feature a performance by the Springfield SciTech High School Band.

The distinguished list of 2017 honorees include such luminaries as Boston Pops Orchestra's Keith Lockhart, The Boston Foundation's Paul Grogan, and Mass Humanities' David Tebaldi. "This extraordinary group of organizations and individuals beautifully represents our state's unique cultural fabric," said MCC Executive Director Anita Walker. "Their collective and individual achievements have immeasurably improved our quality of life in Massachusetts, and I am delighted to honor them at our 2017 Commonwealth Awards ceremony."

Two days later, on February 17, JMBT's spring season will open with featured works choreographed by Mateo: In Our Minds set to Juan Piñera's Trio Cervantino (2016) and The Sirens set to Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto in A Minor (1989). "Whenever we are about to present a new program, I hold my breath. So much rides on that singular opportunity that each performance holds," Mateo says reflectively. "Every artist experiences a level of personal gratification from the revelation inherent in a deep creative process. The question is, will the presentation of the work itself provide a sense of awe or discovery for others?"

Mateo, who is Cuban-American, founded JMBT over 30 years ago after a successful career as a dancer in New York City. He is known as one of the most prolific choreographers of ballet in the country and the extensive work of his Dance for World Community, has forged networks that exposes dance to communities around the world.

Details and registration information for the 2017 Commonwealth Awards will be available at http://www.massculturalcouncil.org.

For information about the JMBT spring season performances at The Sanctuary Theatre, 400 Harvard Street, Cambridge MA, please visitwww.balletheatre.org.

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