New series aims to bring behind-the-scenes access to Delaware homes

 

Statewide (September 26, 2024) – Get ready to be inspired by the vibrant arts community in Delaware as the Delaware Division of the Arts, in partnership with DETV, proudly announces the launch of “Arts Alive Delaware,” a new documentary TV series showcasing the extraordinary work of non-profit arts and culture organizations across the state.

Premiering this fall, Arts Alive Delaware shines a spotlight on three arts organizations in each episode, with one representing each of Delaware’s counties: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. This engaging 30-minute series takes viewers on a journey into the heart of these creative spaces, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the people, passion, and innovations driving Delaware’s arts scene.

From visual arts to dance, music, theater, and beyond, Arts Alive Delaware highlights the diversity and vibrancy of Delaware’s arts landscape, uncovering the stories of the dedicated leaders and staff members who make it all possible. Each episode promises to deliver inspiration, creativity, and a deeper understanding of how these organizations enliven their communities.

“Through Arts Alive Delaware, we are not only celebrating the arts, but also shining a light on the incredible organizations and individuals who are at the forefront of creative expression in our state,” said Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “Spreading awareness about the remarkable work of our grantees is essential to fostering a thriving arts ecosystem, and this series provides an important platform for these voices to be heard.”

The series is produced in collaboration with the DETV Foundation, a leading local platform for public service and media, which shares a passion for amplifying Delaware’s creative arts sector.

“At DETV, we believe in the power of the arts to bring people together, tell important stories, and shape communities,” said Ivan Thomas, Founder and CEO of the DETV Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner on Arts Alive Delaware and remain committed to supporting the creative arts across the state. This series offers a unique opportunity for viewers to connect with the organizations making a difference in Delaware’s cultural landscape.”

For more information, or to watch individual segments on each organization, visit https://arts.delaware.gov/arts-alive-delaware/ or contact Andy Truscott at 302-577-8280.

Funding for Arts Alive Delaware is made possible by the Delaware General Assembly, the Delaware Department of State, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional thanks to Andy Truscott, Brandon Reed, Timothy Fontaine, Tye Richmond, Xiangchen Kong, Dennis Prichett, and S.D. Weldin.

 

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About the Delaware Division of the Arts

The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

About the DETV Foundation
DETV provides the Wilmington metropolitan marketplace with affordable promotional, broadcasting services through both in-studio and remote production for live broadcasting and streaming capability across digital multicasting platforms for easy viewing. This allows us to provide our partners within our community with more, quality content, that is artistically produced and directed. Including photography, sound and synchronization at low cost to our community. To learn more, visit: https://detvch.com/.

 

Statewide, Del. (August 7, 2023) – Mid Atlantic Arts, in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts, has announced over $102,000 in grants, across five states, through the 2023-2024 Special Presenter Initiatives program.

The Special Presenter Initiatives program provides funding to small and mid-size presenting organizations in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and the Native nations that share this geography. The program supports presenting projects with professional touring artists and ensembles from anywhere worldwide. The supported projects include public performances as well as community engagement activities that enhance the performance experience and offer meaningful exchanges between touring artists and a presenter’s community. The artistic engagements proposed by applicant presenters are diverse in performance genre and artist identity. 

“We congratulate the grantees of the 2023-2024 Special Presenter Initiatives program,” said Jessica Ball, the Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “These grants will play a pivotal role in bringing exceptional artists and diverse performances to the First State. Our mission at the Delaware Division of the Arts is to foster artistic excellence and enrich the cultural landscape of Delaware, and these grants align perfectly with that goal. We are excited to witness the meaningful exchanges between touring artists and our communities, and we look forward to the transformative impact these performances will have on our state.”

The 2023-2024 grantees from Delaware include:

• Arden Club, Inc., Wilmington presenting Lankum, Ireland
• Arden Club, Inc., Wilmington presenting Sona Jobarteh, DE
• Christina Cultural Arts Center, Inc., Wilmington presenting Stacey Harcum, DE
• Cityfest, Inc., Wilmington presenting Gerald Veasly Electric Mingus Project, PA
• Coastal Concerts, Inc., Lewes presenting JiJi, Guitar and Danbi Um, Violin, NY
• Coastal Concerts, Inc., Lewes presenting Michelle Cann, PA
• Delaware Symphony Association, Wilmington presenting André Raphel, PA

“Mid-Atlantic Arts plays a vital role in bringing exceptionally talented artists to our community through their generous support,” said Delaware Symphony Orchestra CEO J.C. Barker. “Not only does their assistance enable the DSO to showcase these important artists, but it also provided the necessary resources to foster a collaboration with young talents at the Music School of Delaware. This partnership created invaluable opportunities for aspiring young musicians to learn from a musical virtuoso.”

“CCAC is humbled and honored to be the recipient of a Special Presenter Initiative Grant from Mid Atlantic Arts,” said Christina Cultural Arts Center Executive Director James Rhodes. “As we continue to move beyond shuttered venues and welcome visitors back to CCAC, this funding allows us to engage dynamic artists from around our region and across the country to reconnect with our thousands of supporters.” 

Ron Ozer from the Arden Concert Gild stated, “the Special Presenters grant allows Arden Concert Gild to take bigger risks booking unusual eclectic but top tier artists from around the world, such as Lankum, in one of only 5 appearances across the US in one week in 2023.”

Carol Dennis, Executive Director of Coastal Concerts stated, “I’m a strong believer that music has a special way of inspiring and transforming our lives in a multitude of ways.  The Mid Atlantic Arts Special Presenter Initiative Program is a remarkable program that allows us to enrich the lives of the youth and adults in southern Delaware by supporting the presentation of our educational outreach programs and concerts by renowned musicians.”

Image: African Kora virtuoso Sona Jobarteh.

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About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.

About Mid Atlantic Arts

Mid Atlantic Arts supports artists, presenters, and organizations through unique programming, grant support, partnerships, and information sharing. Created in 1979, Mid Atlantic Arts is aligned with the region’s state arts councils and the National Endowment for the Arts. We combine state and federal funding with private support from corporations, foundations, and individuals to nurture diverse artistic expression while connecting people to meaningful arts experiences within our region and beyond. To learn more about Mid Atlantic Arts visit www.midatlanticarts.org.

Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications

302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.