National Endowment For The Arts Announces Grant To Montana Shakespeare In The Parks

Rocco Landesman, National Endowment for the Arts chairman, has announced that Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) has been recommended for a grant of $ 35,000 to support the 2011 summer tour. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is one of 1,145 not-for-profit national, regional, state and local organizations recommended for a grant as part of the federal agency's second round of fiscal year 2011 grants. In total, the Arts Endowment will distribute more than $88 million to support projects nationwide.

An independent agency of the federal government, the National Endowment for the Arts advances artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said, "NEA research shows that three out of four Americans participate in the arts. The diverse, innovative and exceptional projects funded in this round will ensure that Americans around the country continue to have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts."

"Not only is the funding vital, but it is also important to have the seal of approval from our national arts organization to validate the work we do in rural communities." said Joel Jahnke, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks artistic director.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is a nationally recognized outreach program of the College of Arts and Architecture at Montana State University, and provides professional, outdoor theatre productions of Shakespeare and other classics to communities throughout Montana, northern Wyoming, eastern Idaho, western North Dakota and (for the first time this season) eastern Washington, with an emphasis on underserved, rural areas. This summer will feature a total of 75 performances of two Shakespearean plays, Much Ado About Nothing and The Merchant of Venice, in 60 communities.

MSIP is the only fully professional theatre program in the state currently producing Shakespeare's plays, the only Shakespeare company in the country to reach as extensively into rural areas and the only company in the state that offers its performances free to the public, guaranteeing accessibility to all, regardless of how much they earn or where they choose to live. For the majority of these communities, especially those in under-served, rural areas, MSIP is their only access to live, professional theatre.

For more information visit our website at shakespeareintheparks.org.

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.