Arts Wisconsin and PortalWisconsin.org Receive National Endowment for the Arts Grant
Madison, WI--The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Rocco Landesman today announced that the agency will award 863 grants to organizations and individual writers across the country. Arts Wisconsin is one of the grantees and will receive $27,000 to support Portable Wisconsin, expanding access to the arts through online media and educational programs. The 863 grant awards total $22.543 million, encompass 15 artistic disciplines and fields, and support projects in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Funding from the Endowment will support Portable Wisconsin and technical assistance in the use of online media for arts workers and creative entrepreneurs. The innovative partnership will allow Arts Wisconsin and PortalWisconsin.org to develop mobile web apps, content syndication widgets, and geo-enabling software to give cultural organizations, creative sector entrepreneurs, news outlets, residents, and visitors individualized access to calendar information. In addition, Arts Wisconsin will develop and conduct webinars to provide arts workers and creative entrepreneurs with the tools and education they need to make their living and their life creatively. These educational webcasts will be hosted by UW-Extension’s Instructional Communications Systems and made available through PortalWisconsin.org in order to reach artists and art-related businesses statewide.
"Art Works is the guiding principle at the NEA," said agency Chair Rocco Landesman. "I’m pleased to see that principle represented through the 863 Art Works-funded projects included in this announcement. These projects demonstrate the imaginative and innovative capacities of artists and arts organizations to enhance the quality of life in their communities."
"We’re honored to again receive recognition from the Endowment for our ground-breaking work to serve the people of Wisconsin by assisting and strengthening the arts sector and making the arts available and accessible to everyone, everywhere in the state," said Debra Karp, President of the Board of Directors of Arts Wisconsin. "In addition, we’re thrilled to be working in partnership with PortalWisconsin.org to expand opportunities and use of this unique and valuable resource for Wisconsin, its people and communities."
In March 2011, the NEA received 1,686 eligible applications for Art Works requesting more than $84 million in funding. The resulting funding rate of 49 percent of eligible applications reflects both the significant demand for support and the ongoing vitality of the not-for-profit arts community despite current financial challenges. Art Works grants are awarded based on the applications received by the NEA and assessment by review panels.
Arts Wisconsin is Wisconsin’s advocacy, service and development organization--the premier independent organization speaking up, promoting, advancing and working for the arts, arts education and creative economy as essential tools for economic vitality, educational advancement, vibrant communities and engaging residents throughout the state.
PortalWisconsin, created by the Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin, is the statewide online portal to Wisconsin’s culture, arts, humanities and history.
For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA web site at www.arts.gov.
Contact: Anne Katz, Arts Wisconsin, 608-255-8316, akatz@artswisconsin.org
Date Posted: 11/18/11
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