U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin Hosts National Endowment for the Arts at Workshop For Nonprofit Arts Organizations

Arts and Community Groups Convene To Learn More About NEA Grant Process

February 24, 2004

		Contact: Christy Crytzer NEA 202-682-5570 Michael Guilfoyle 401-732-9400

Washington, DC - More than 110 Rhode Island arts leaders turned out for a special grant workshop on Monday hosted by U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin and co-hosted by Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Lincoln Chafee, Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Eileen B. Mason, Senior Deputy Chairman of the NEA, led the workshop aimed at nonprofit arts and community organizations as part of the agency's outreach to Rhode Island.

In an effort to demystify the application process, the workshop at the Courthouse Center in West Kingston helped leaders of these organizations learn about federal arts funding opportunities and how to apply for Arts Endowment grants.

Sen. Jack Reed, U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (seated), and Eileen B. Mason, Senior Deputy Chairman of the NEA. Photo by Christy Crytzer.

At a news conference preceding the workshop, Congressman Langevin; Senator Jack Reed; and Randy Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, praised the Arts Endowment for its outreach to arts organizations and the public.

Applauding the Rhode Island delegation, Ms. Mason said, " For the past year and a half, I've been conducting NEA grant workshops in communities throughout the country, but today's workshop is historic - it's the first time we've had an entire Congressional delegation support our efforts."

The workshop included a discussion of federal funding opportunities for projects that:

• provide hands-on learning in the arts for children and youth (pre-K to Grade 12) in schools, arts organizations and community centers;

• help preserve cultural traditions through documentation, publications, exhibits, apprenticeships and conservation;

• provide access to the arts in underserved communities; and

• involve the creation or presentation of works of art, including performances, exhibitions, and festivals.

The National Endowment for the Arts exists to foster, preserve and promote excellence in the arts, to bring art to all Americans and to provide leadership in arts education. It is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts and each year awards more than 2,200 matching grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide, including school districts, faith-based and community groups, performing arts organizations, galleries, and museums.

Return to News Index

National Endowment for the Arts
Contact the Web Manager.