PITTSBURGH, Pa., May 25, 2011 – The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments awarded over $230,000 in grants to more than twenty individual artists and organizations from the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Fund.

 

Launched as a partnership between the two foundations in November of 2010, the Fund is designed to support artistic risk-taking, outreach programming, career opportunities for individual artists, and strategies to promote organizational growth. The Fund is held at The Pittsburgh Foundation and was established by an initial grant of $325,000 from each foundation. 

 

A seven-member panel comprising artists, curators, community representatives and staff from both foundations reviewed 35 applications for consideration for spring 2011. A total of 22 artists and organizations received grants amounting to $233,118.00. Grants were awarded in three funding categories and encompassed various disciplines.

 

Grantees for the Spring grant cycle include: Sweetwater Center for the Arts for their annual MAVUNO Festival; noted actor Bill Nunn for the creation of a new play based on West African folktales; sculptor and performing artist Vanessa German for the creation of a new series of sculptures; and Balfon West African Dance Ensemble for the development of a new African dance conference. (See attached for a full list of grantees).

 

The Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Fund offers Spring and Fall grant cycles each year. Applications for Fall 2011 are due by August 15, 2011. 

 

 

Community Theatre Project (dba. Kelly Strayhorn Theatre): to support the development of workshops, roundtables, and one-on-one consultancies for independent and small arts producers. Grant Amount: $20,000

 

 

Jo-Anne Bates: to support the creation of a new suite of abstract monotype prints inspired by South Africa. Grant Amount: $2,118

 

Artists Image Resources: to host a collaborative artist residency with artists Emory Biko and Maritza Mosquera. Grant Amount: $8,000

 

Vanessa German: to support the creation of a series of new scultpures entitled "H/and/Wand". Grant Amount: $13,000

 

Christine D. Leach: to support the creation of a solo album entitled "Animus". Grant Amount: $5,000

 

Ayanah Moor: to support travel and fees for participation in the Proyecto 'ace artist residency. Grant Amount: $6,500

 

Bill Nunn: to support the creation of a new play based on West African folktales. Grant Amount: $10,000

 

Deesha Philyaw: to support the creation of a young adult novel. Grant Amount: $5,500

 

Community Theatre Project (dba. Kelly Strayhorn Theatre): to host an artist residency with the Staycee Pearl Dance Project. Grant Amount: $8,000

 

Alisha Wormsley: to support the creation of a multimedia art installation inspired by the history of African American migration. Grant Amount: $9,500

 

Jasiri X: to support the creation of "This Week with Jasiri X: Season Five" video series. Grant Amount: $11,000

 

 

Balfon West African Dance Ensemble, Inc.: to support the development of the "Welcome to the Black River" African dance conference. Grant Amount: $15,000

 

Pittsburgh Filmmakers for Kenneth Love: to support the development of a new documentary on African American sculptor Thaddeus Mosley. Grant Amount: $9,500

 

Hill Dance Academy Theatre: to support the presentation of "Spirit, Mind, and Body," a seven-week Summer Dance Intensive. Grant Amount: $15,000

 

Young Men and Women's African Heritage Association, Inc.: to support Nia Cultural Arts & Education programs. Grant Amount: $10,000

 

Sweetwater Center for the Arts: to support the presentation of the 15th Annual MAVUNO Festival. Grant Amount: $5,000

 

Dance Alloy Theatre for the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble: to support the presentation of "Dynamic Women of Dance: Celebrating the Black Woman" dance performance. Grant Amount: $20,000

 

City of Asylum/Pittsburgh: to support the presentation of the 2011 "Jazz Poetry Concert" featuring Sonia Sanchez. Grant Amount: $7,500

 

Nego Gato, Inc.: to support workshops, lectures, and a public presentation of "From Kongo to Brazil" with the Mbongi Dance Theater. Grant Amount: $10,000

 

Shona Sharif African Dance and Drum Ensemble: to support the 2011 presentation of "Black Nativity". Grant Amount: $20,000

 

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company: to support the presentation of the 2011 "Theatre Festival in Black and White". Grant Amount: $15,000

 

Dance Alloy Theatre: to support artist fees for African American dance instructors and choreographers for the Jones Summer Dance Intensive. Grant Amount: $7,500