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Rep. Jane Harman Hosts National Endowment for the Arts at Workshop for California Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Arts and community groups learn more about NEA grant process NEA Chairman Dana Gioia tours South Bay arts organizations February 2, 2007 Washington, D.C. – February 2, 2007 – U.S. Rep. Jane Harman today sponsored a special workshop conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for local nonprofit community arts organizations. The workshop was part of the agency's outreach to California arts organizations. At a press conference before the workshop, NEA Chairman Dana Gioia, a native Californian who grew up in nearby Hawthorne, explained the purpose of the workshop: "The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to supporting the arts in communities throughout the country," said Chairman Gioia. "I am delighted to be here in Lennox today to encourage local arts organizations to apply for federal grants." "Arts are a crucial nutrient for young minds and hearts, and can open them to new modes of expression, appreciation and imagination," said Rep. Harman. "It's so nice to welcome Chairman Gioia home and to have him share what the NEA offers to our community." Dr. Bruce McDaniel, Lennox Schools Superintendent, and Muriel Johnson, Executive Director of the California Arts Council also spoke at the press conference, describing the importance of the arts in the schools and the state, respectively. The press conference and grants workshop were held at Moffett Elementary School. Tony Chauveaux, NEA Deputy Chairman for Grants and Awards, led the free session, which included a discussion of federal opportunities for projects that:
Following the press conference, Rep. Harman and Chairman Gioia toured the Moffett Elementary School, which has implemented a school reform model that uses masterworks in the arts to allow for the exploration and experience of the arts and other disciplines. The Congresswoman and Chairman observed several classes that demonstrate this model, including a fourth-grade visual thinking strategies class and a fifth-grade social studies class. Rep. Harman and Chairman Gioia also visited the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, where they toured the arts center and attended a special presentation by several local performers, including the Torrance Theater Company, the Zhena Folk Ensemble, the HILO Dancers, and the Lennox Middle School Steel Drum group. Lastly, Rep. Harman and Chairman Gioia visited L.A. Theatre Works in Venice, an organization that has consistently received grants from the NEA for its productions and outreach programs, including their Alive and Aloud and Library Access programs. The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For more information, visit the NEA Web site at www.arts.gov.
National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency |
