Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh awards 24 grants

More than $350,000 to support arts and culture programs

PITTSBURGH, Pa., June 24, 2015 – The Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grants program, a partnership of The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments, has awarded $350,000 in grants to 24 artists and arts organizations.

Grantees for the spring grant cycle include Tereneh Mosley, who will develop a collection of apparel, jewelry, and accessories in collaboration with Olorgesailie Maasai Women Artisans of Kenya; Liana Maneese, to support pre-production for “The Space and Place Project,” a documentary film exploring the life of an Afro-Latina adoptee; and Melanie Carter, who will develop “Bring the Beat Back: Her Time to Shine,” a documentary film series exploring Black women in Hip Hop Culture. (See attached for the list of all grantees).

Launched in 2010 as a partnership between the two foundations, the program is designed to support artistic risk-taking, outreach programming, career opportunities for artists, and strategies to promote organizational growth.

A seven-member panel comprising artists, curators, community representatives and staff from both foundations reviewed 60 applications for consideration in this spring’s program. Grants were awarded in four funding categories and encompassed various disciplines.

The Advancing Black Arts Program offers spring and fall grant cycles each year.  Applications for the fall cycle are due Aug. 3. 

INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS

Tameka Cage Conley, $15,000, to complete the novel "This Far, by Grace."

Melanie Carter, $15,000, to develop “Bring the Beat Back: Her Time to Shine,” a documentary film series exploring Black women in Hip Hop Culture.

Edda L. Fields-Black, PhD, $15,000, to support the development of the libretto for “The Requiem for Rice,” a story of Africans enslaved on Low country rice plantations.

Charlotte Ka, $14,748, to create a suite of abstract paintings inspired by American jazz composer, lyricist and pianist Billy Strayhorn’s life and work.

Darrell S. Kinsel, $15,000, to create “Know News is Good News,” a body of 12 public sculptures.

Liana Maneese, $15,000, to support pre-production for “The Space and Place Project,” a documentary film exploring the life of an Afro-Latina adoptee.

Teanna Medina, $15,000, to study with masters of Afro-Cuban folkloric dance.

Anthony Mitchell, Jr., $15,000, to host a residency with master percussion and performance artists.

Tereneh Mosley, $15,000, to develop a collection of apparel, jewelry, and accessories in collaboration with Olorgesailie Maasai Women Artisans of Kenya.

Njie, Njaimeh, $9,000, to produce a documentary about the lives of women and girls in Pittsburgh.

Kelli Stevens Kane, $15,000, to complete a book of oral histories and photographs of the Hill District neighborhood.

Alisha Wormsley, $13,900, to create a photography book as a part of the “There are Black People in the Future” project.

James Ziegler, $15,000, to produce an album of original music performed by regional performers.

RESIDENCIES

ArtUp¸ $15,000, to host a residency with South African artists Mbovu Malinga, Asanda Dredunki Kupa, and Charles Jansen for the “Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs” project.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts, $9,500, to host a residency with visual artist Tina Brewer.

Pittsburgh Glass Center, $15,000, to host a residency with glass artist Therman Statom.

ADVANCING THE FIELD

Hill Dance Academy Theatre, $5,000, to mobilize art partner organizations to increase community participation and raise the visibility of the arts in the upper Hill neighborhood.

Community Theater Project Corporation/Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, $5,000, to strengthen relationships among black arts organizations.

Shona Sharif African Dance and Drum Ensemble, $3,650, to explore and develop a proposal that will advance the field of African and Afro-Caribbean drumming through the Shona Sharif African Dance and Drum Ensemble.

UNRESTRICTED / OPERATING

Afrika YETU, $30,000, for FY 2016 operating support.

Kente Arts Alliance, $25,000, for FY 2016 unrestricted support.

MLK Arts/Moving the Lives of Kids, $15,000, for FY 2016 unrestricted support.

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, $25,000, for FY 2016 unrestricted support.

Staycee Pearl Dance Project, $15,000, for FY 2016 unrestricted support.