UMS Receives NEA Art Works Grant

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced awards totaling more than $27.6 million in its first funding round of fiscal year 2016, including an Art Works award of $30,000 to University Musical Society (UMS) to support a multidisciplinary series of performances and related engagement programs.

Made possible by the grant are appearances from American Ballet Theatre (in collaboration with Michigan Opera Theatre), Camille A. Brown & Dancers, performance artist Taylor Mac, contemporary Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq (Canada), and Young Jean Lee's Theater Company. Engagement activities surrounding the performances will include lectures and demonstrations, master classes, and post-performance discussions with the artists.

NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, "The arts are part of our everyday lives - no matter who you are or where you live - they have the power to transform individuals, spark economic vibrancy in communities, and transcend the boundaries across diverse sectors of society. Supporting projects like the one from UMS offers more opportunities to engage in the arts every day."

Ken Fischer, UMS President said, "We're pleased that the NEA is providing support for a variety of performances and audience education and engagement events in the winter 2016 season. At UMS, we take a well-rounded view of an artist's visit to Ann Arbor, not just presenting the performance but also working to connect the artist in meaningful ways to students and the community through in-class visits, pre- and post-performance activities, and, in the case of our dance events, opportunities for the community to learn the company's movement styles. Our NEA grant this year is especially meaningful, coming as it does on the heels of UMS receiving the National Medal of Arts from President Obama in September."

In its first 50 years, NEA awarded more than $5 billion in grants to recipients in every state and U.S. jurisdiction, the only arts funder in the nation to do so. The Art Works category supports the creation of work and presentation of both new and existing work, lifelong learning in the arts, and public engagement with the arts through 13 arts disciplines or fields. For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, go to arts.gov.

The University Musical Society is an independent non-profit affiliated with the University of Michigan, presenting over 70 music, theater, and dance performances by professional touring artists each season. One of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, UMS is committed to connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. With a program steeped in music, dance, and theater, UMS contributes to a vibrant cultural community by presenting approximately 60-75 performances and over 100 free educational activities each season. UMS also commissions new work, sponsors artist residencies, and organizes collaborative projects with local, national, and international partners. For more information, please visit ums.org or umslobby.org.

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