Congressman Serrano Announces $130,000 in Arts Funding for the Bronx
The Bronx, NY – U.S. Congressman José E. Serrano today announced $130,000 in federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for six arts and cultural organizations in the Bronx that will be doing work in the 15th Congressional district. The six organizations are: the Bronx Council on the Arts, the Bronx Documentary Center, Dancing in the Street, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College Foundation, the Pregones Touring Puerto Rican Theatre Collection, and the Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation.
“Arts and culture projects enrich our community and allow our artists and performers to develop their talents and showcase their creative work. They also serve as an important tourism magnet and job creator. This federal funding will help make possible the successful completion of six unique projects in a wide range of areas. Many of these programs will be free to the public, giving local residents the opportunity to enjoy engaging performances at no cost,” said Congressman Serrano. “Our community artists and cultural organizations have so much to offer, and play a critical role in preserving and developing our community's cultural identity. The National Endowment for the Arts’ investment in the Bronx announced today will allow them to continue flourishing and developing quality programming for residents and visitors. I congratulate all of the recipients of this award.”
The funding will be distributed as follows:
Bronx Council on the Arts, Inc. - $25,000
To support a professional development series of workshops.
The project will elevate the quality of submissions by Bronx artists for fellowships and grants and contribute to the health of arts and culture in the Bronx in general. Additionally, the series will connect artists with professionals in their fields who will provide specific advice and technical assistance about how to succeed in their disciplines. The eight-part series comprising free presentations will be geared to reaching the filmmaking, literary, theater, visual arts, and performance communities, as well as small businesses.
Bronx Documentary Center Inc - $15,000
To support a documentary photography exhibition series and related public programming.
The series will present works by photographers, filmmakers, and photojournalists who deal with the themes of justice, education, and social change. Selected photographers may include Hiram Maristany, Kadir Van Louhizen, and Eugene Richards. Film screenings, artist presentations, and panel talks will be offered to stimulate debate and discussion. A specific curriculum will be developed to address critical thinking skills related to documentary photography. Exhibition tours will be offered to local middle schools, high schools, and community groups.
Dancing in the Street, Inc. - $20,000
To support Dancing through the Bronx, a festival of free performances that will engage diverse neighborhoods in the Bronx.
The festival will take place at Wave Hill, Hayden Lord Park, Owen Dolen Park, and Roberto Clemente Plaza. The program will feature "Bolero Bronx," a site adaptive version of Larry Keigwin's Bolero project, featuring Keigwin + Company dancers and community members. Other project components will include Latin dance with live music, site-specific dances, and a culminating salsa dance party. Artists under consideration for the Latin dance component include Frank Muhel, Eddie Torres, Jr., and Danza Fiesta. Choreographers under consideration to create site-specific dances include Reggie Wilson, Wally Cardona, Nora Chipaumire, and Paloma McGregor. Emerging or mid-career choreographers will be commissioned for as many as five site-specific performances that will take place during continuous loops in the gardens of Wave Hill.
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College Foundation - $30,000
To support BomPlenazo, Ninth Biennial of Afro-Puerto Rican Culture.
The festival will include a series of concerts featuring dancers and musicians from New York City and Puerto Rico. The event also will feature workshops for percussion, singing, dance, and a special workshop for children. Also planned are a series of lectures, demonstrations, and films exploring the evolution of "bomba" and "plena," percussion-driven musical traditions from Puerto Rico, NEA Heritage Fellow Juan Gutierrez will participate as both a performer and lecturer.
Pregones Touring Puerto Rican Theatre Collection, Inc. - $30,000
To support a production of "The Bolero Was My Downfall," an English-language translation of an original ensemble play with music.
Originally produced in Spanish and adapted from a story by Puerto Rican author Manuel Ramos Otero, the work tells the story of an aging transvestite and convicted murderer serving out the last days of a prison sentence.
Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation - $10,000
To support the Bronx Music Heritage Center's Living Legends Performance Series.
Concerts at venues in the Bronx, such as The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, will honor and celebrate master Bronx musicians for outstanding contributions to their artistic field and community as artists, educators, activists and advocates. Each concert will include an onstage interview and a musical performance, which will either feature or be curated by the respective honoree. Previous honorees include DJ Kool Herc, jazz pianist Bertha Hope, and Latin jazz bassist Andy Gonzalez.
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