Diversionary Theatre Receives Two California Arts Council Grants!

Diversionary Theatre is one of 1,706 organizations across the state that will be receiving grant awards from the California Arts Council (CAC). The two grants awarded to Diversionary will support Diversionary's Student Matinee Program and help establish the Stonewall Salon, a new program for LGBT and community allied seniors

"I'm thrilled that Diversionary is partnering with the state on these two vital programs serving the San Diego community. The theatre is a place for communal healing, understanding and reconciliation, and these programs will have a significant impact on the youth and older generation we serve. These programs represent the heart of our mission." said Matt Morrow, Executive Artistic Director.

Diversionary's Student Matinee Program serves middle and high schools across the county in providing access to theatre arts and cultural education. Students attend a performance of one of Diversionary's Mainstage productions and are also engaged in the themes and subject matter presented in the shows through pre and post show in-classroom workshops. Many of the students who attend these performances come from low income communities and this is their first exposure to live theatre. The grant provided through the Artists in Schools Exposure program of the CAC will enable the program to continue and expand to program in San Diego County.

Diversionary's Stonewall Salon is a new interactive arts education program for LGBT and community allied seniors focused on developing and writing personal histories, giving their often unheard dynamic life stories a platform. The program builds writing and acting skills, and strong ensemble principles. This program will meet weekly and culminates with an original devised performance on Diversionary's historic Mainstage. This grant was provided through CAC's Artists Activating Communities Program.

"We are honored and grateful that the State of California is recognizing and supporting Diversionary's commitment to the San Diego community with these grants." said Jenny Case, Managing Director.

Diversionary, the third oldest LGBT theatre in the country, was founded in 1986 with the mission to provide an inspiring and thought provoking theatrical platform to explore complex and diverse LGBT stories, which influence the larger cultural discussion. Our vision is to foster and amplify the next generation of LGBT voices by producing new plays and musicals in a dynamic, inclusive and supportive environment that celebrates and preserves our unique culture. We are a vital part of San Diego's thriving theatre ecology and one of only ten theatres in the county dedicated specifically to developing and giving voice to stories about the LGBT community.

The California Arts Council's grant programs are administered through a multistep, public process. Following an open call for applications, all submissions are adjudicated by peer review panels made up of experts from the arts field. Based on panel recommendations and available funds, the Council voted on grant awards at public meetings in San Diego on May 9 and Sebastopol on June 7, 2017.

The need in California communities for more arts resources and activities runs deep, and the Arts Council's programs inspired a tremendous level of public demand this year. Grant programs will serve groundbreaking 51 percent more grantees than the previous year. The competition for state arts grants is substantial, with one-third of 2016-17 grant applicants unfunded.

More information about the California Arts Council grants can be found at the California Arts Council website: www.arts.ca.gov. Diversionary's website is www.diversionary.org.

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