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Richmond Symphony Awarded Funding From The National Endowment for the Arts
M E D I A A D V I S O R Y
June 14, 2017 – Richmond, Virginia – National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $10,000 to Richmond Symphony for support of the Symphony’s Big Tent and related music education initiatives. The NEA received 1,728 Art Works applications and will make 1,029 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
“The arts reflect the vision, energy, and talent of America’s artists and arts organizations,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations such as The Richmond Symphony, in serving their communities by providing excellent and accessible arts experiences.”
NEA funding to the Richmond Symphony will support the Big Tent initiative and two related major festivals during the Symphony’s 60th Anniversary Season.
“The Richmond Symphony sincerely appreciates the National Endowment for the Arts and its support of organizations throughout the country that are engaged in the most exceptional work” said Richmond Symphony Executive Director David J.L. Fisk. “While $10,000 of $82 million in recommended awards does not seem substantial, it is a significant endorsement of the Symphony’s work in the Richmond community. It helps us to leverage funding from additional governmental, corporate and other sources. We are grateful for the NEA’s support and the work that it does to maintain the Nation’s status as a world leader in arts and culture”
To join the Twitter conversation about this announcement, please use #NEASpring17. For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, go to arts.gov
About the Richmond Symphony
Kicking off its 60th Anniversary Season in September 2017, the Richmond Symphony is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. Each season, more than 200,000 members of the community enjoy concerts, and radio broadcasts. The Symphony also provides educational outreach programs to over 55,000 students and teachers each year. The Symphony was recently named one of a small group of leaders in orchestra innovation by the League of American Orchestras through its Futures Fund Initiative. The Richmond Symphony is partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit www.richmondsymphony.com.
Contacts:
Scott Dodson Director of Advancement and Patron Communications
804.788.4717
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