Division of the Arts to Honor 17 Artist Fellows at Annual Reception and Award Ceremony June 13

New this year, the Award Winners Exhibition will display contemporary art alongside historical decorative arts and travel to two new locations

Dover, Del. (June 8, 2018) – The Award Winners XVIII reception and award ceremony will be held at the Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover on Wednesday, June 13 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

The event will feature special performances by three of the 2018 Individual Artist Fellows. Attendees can experience the work of all 17 artists in the Award Winners XVIII exhibit throughout the entire museum. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The first part of the reception will feature music selections by Master Fellow in Music, Lloyd Shorter and a presentation by Joan Warburton-Phibbs, Established Fellow in Choreography, followed by the remarks and awards presentation. The second portion will end with a presentation of work by Emerging Fellow in Media Arts, Robert Waters.

Each year, the Biggs Museum of American Art, in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts, exhibits the work of Delaware’s Individual Artist Fellows. The Award Winners XVIII exhibition on view now through July 22, recognizes the Fellows’ combined artistic accomplishments.

“The contemporary pieces from Award Winners will be on view alongside materials and works from 1700-1850,” said Curator Ryan Grover. “The exhibition will be immersive and will show the characteristics that these two timeframes share in common.” Highlights of the exhibition include a site-specific plywood sculpture by Kevin Bielicki and six video installations.

New this year, the Award Winners exhibition will travel to two venues, including CAMP Rehoboth, Rehoboth Beach; and Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington. Each location will host a modified version of the Award Winners exhibition.

• Biggs Museum of American Art: June 1 – July 22
  • Reception on June 13, 2018; 5-7 p.m. RSVP
• CAMP Rehoboth: August 3-26
  • Reception on August 9, 2018; 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP
• Cab Calloway School of the Arts: September 7-30
  • Reception on September 7; 5-7 p.m. RSVP

Learn more about the 2018 Artist Fellows

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
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.

Three Delaware organizations will receive $729,100 in federal grants

Wilmington, Del. (May 15, 2018) – As the only funder in the country to support arts activities in all 50 states and five U.S. jurisdictions, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that three Delaware organizations, including the Division of the Arts, will receive $729,100 in federal grants.

“The variety and quality of these projects speaks to the wealth of creativity and diversity in our country,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “From Atlanta, Georgia to Sparks, Nevada, NEA funding reaches thousands of communities, assisting local organizations and providing access to the arts to all.”

The Delaware Division of the Arts will receive a Partnership (State & Regional) grant in the amount of $689,100 to support activities associated with carrying out its NEA-approved State strategic plan.

“Representing 17% of the Division’s budget, NEA funding is critical in supporting arts programming that directly reaches more than 30 communities throughout Delaware, serving more than 1 million youth and adults annually,” says Paul Weagraff, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “This investment in Delaware’s creative sector contributes positively to vibrant communities, comprehensive educational opportunities, and robust economic activity.”

The Delaware Art Museum will receive an Art Works – Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works grant in the amount of $25,000 to support its Bridging Perspectives series of multidisciplinary performances addressing the history of the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary issues related to social justice and equity.

“The NEA and Art Works grants support the arts and its ability to change lives and impact communities,” says Delaware Art Museum Executive Director and CEO, Sam Sweet. “Bridging Perspectives is a new initiative at the Museum reflecting our vision to engage our community, promote conversation, and foster understanding. We are so pleased that this initiative has earned support that will enable the Museum to better serve our community.”

The Grand Opera House will receive an Art Works – Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works grant in the amount of $15,000 to support its sensory-friendly family performances series which welcomes children of all ages with autism or other sensory, social or learning disabilities to experience live entertainment.

“The Grand is proud to continue our new sensory friendly programming thanks to this generous gift from the NEA. Our mission urges us to be accessible to all residents of the Brandywine Valley, and this gift, our second NEA grant in two years, allows us to further develop this valuable and much-needed program, says Mark Fields, executive director of the Grand Opera House.

The full NEA grant descriptions follow:

State and Regional Partnership Agreements
Through partnership agreements, the NEA translates national leadership into local and regional benefit. States and U.S. jurisdictions have their own arts agency that together receive 40 percent of the NEA’s grantmaking funds each year to support their programs and leverage state funding. In addition to these 55 agencies, six regional arts organizations are funded to manage programs across state, national, and international borders and across all arts disciplines.

Art Works II
Art Works is the NEA’s largest category and focuses on funding the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and strengthening of communities through the arts.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. For more information, visit www.arts.gov.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
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.

THE DELAWARE DIVISION OF THE ARTS TO HOST A FREE
ACCESSIBILITY PRESENTATION LED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
Dr. Beth Bienvenu, accessibility director,
will review how to make the arts accessible to all

Wilmington, Del. (November 30, 2017) – Building off of this year’s Arts Summit theme: “Arts for All” and an earlier workshop “Flourishing: The Art of Creative Aging,” the Division will sponsor a special presentation by Dr. Bienvenu on the topic: “Accessibility Basics: Ensuring Access for Everyone” on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Copeland Lecture Hall, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. The Division invites all current and past grantees, the broader nonprofit sector and media to attend this free educational opportunity.

Dr. Bienvenu will provide an overview of what accessibility is, the range of audiences to consider when developing accessibility plans, and practical ways to improve access to programs for all audiences. Her presentation will be followed by a brief presentation by John Orr, executive director of Art-Reach, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to creating, advocating and expanding accessible opportunities in the arts so that the full spectrum of society is served. The afternoon will conclude with a Q&A session.

“The Division’s grantees are required to ensure that projects, productions, workshops and programs comply with applicable accessibility laws. We encourage arts organizations of all sizes to create programs that embrace the concept of ‘universal design’ that everyone—older people, people with and without disabilities—can access,” said Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts.

For those attending the presentation, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library will offer attendees a free, guided tour of its annual Yuletide at Winterthur. To be eligible for the tour, visitors must attend the Accessibility presentation and RSVP in advance.

Please RSVP here for an accurate headcount: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nea-accessibility-rsvp. Responses requested no later than Friday, December 8 at 10:30 a.m.

On-site parking is available, please follow signs for the Visitor Parking Lot and take the walking path that leads to the Visitor Center.

Handicapped parking and visitor drop-off is also available. At the fork in the road, in front of the Visitor Center, turn right. Parking is next to the Visitor Center entrance.

About Dr. Beth Bienvenu
Dr. Beth Bienvenu is the Director of the Office of Accessibility at the National Endowment for the Arts, where she manages the NEA’s technical assistance and advocacy work devoted to making the arts accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and people in institutional settings. She provides guidance and support to state arts agency staff and professionals working the fields of arts access, creativity and aging, arts and health, universal design, and arts in corrections.

Prior to coming to the NEA, she worked as a Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), where she analyzed public and private sector policies and practices related to the employment for people with disabilities. She also served as an adjunct professor for George Mason University’s Master of Arts in Arts Management program, where she taught courses in arts policy and comparative international arts policy, and she has a background in performing arts management. Dr. Bienvenu has master’s degrees in sociology and arts administration from Indiana University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from The University of Oklahoma.

About John Orr
John was appointed as Executive Director of Art-Reach in February 2015, with a vision that he would lead organizational planning efforts and grow strategic initiatives. A native of Philadelphia, John brings over 19 years of experience in the city’s cultural community, including work at museums, community arts organizations, and historic sites and he currently serves as a board member of Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia. In addition, John advises and helps coordinate the largest conference for small museum professionals in the mid-Atlantic region through his work with the Small Museum Association. John received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College. John’s commitment to planning and implementation, strategic fundraising, and organizational culture have driven his work throughout his career.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts and the agency is celebrating this milestone with events and activities through September 2016.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

2017 Delaware Arts Summit:
Arts for All: Transforming Individuals & Communities

WHAT: The Arts Summit brings together Delaware’s arts community to connect, learn, and get inspired. The speakers and sessions will illuminate ways to create value and increase the impact of the arts to purposefully enhance well-being, understanding, learning, and creativity for all. Sessions include:

• Activism and Advocacy
• Intentional Practice
• Breaking Stereotypes
• Effective Marketing
• Sensitivity and Accessibility
• The Power of Volunteers

WHEN: Monday, October 30 2017 from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Full Summit schedule available online.

WHERE: Dover Downs Hotel & Casino: Click here for directions.

WHO: Featured speakers and workshop leaders will be:

• Speakers:
  • First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, State of Delaware
  • The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long, Lt. Governor
  • The Honorable Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State
  • Paul Weagraff, Director, Delaware Division of the Arts
  • J. Mack Wathen, Chair, Delaware State Arts Council
  • Dan Cruce, Board President, Delaware Arts Alliance
• Keynote Speaker:
  • Liz Lerman, Choreographer, Performer, Writer, Educator, Speaker
• Workshop Leaders:
  • Carol Barnett, Planner, DE Division of Services for the Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, New Castle, DE
  • Kelly Barsdate, Chief Program and Planning Officer, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Washington, D.C.
  • Randi Korn, Founding Director, Randi Korn & Associates, Inc., Alexandria, VA
  • Chris McLeod, Principal, CLM Marketing, Washington, D.C.
  • Jennie Smith-Peers, Executive Director, National Center for Creative Aging, Washington, D.C.
  • Sheri Wilensky Burke, Sheri Wilensky Burke Consulting LLC, Philadelphia, PA
• Artist Performers:
  • Fearless Improv, City Theater Company, featuring cast members Jana Savini, Mary Catherine Kelley, Dave Duszak, and George Tietze, uses listening, support, and yes-anding to create a show, on the spot, that magnifies the absurdity of the human experience.
  • Outreach Ensemble, Delaware Choral Society: Formed in 2014, the Delaware Choral Society (DCS) Outreach Ensemble is a subset of DCS. The group, directed by James Byrne and accompanied by Bryan Roscoe, performs for business and civic events as well as in hospital and residential facilities.

OTHER: Tickets are still available: $55 walk-in registration – check or exact cash only at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. For more information on Summit speakers, artists, events and location, please visit: arts.delaware.gov/summit/.

We will be live tweeting throughout the day using #DEArtsSummit. Tag us on Twitter and Facebook at: @ArtsDelaware.

The lunchtime performance and keynote presentation starting at 11:45 will be livestreamed on Facebook. Check our page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/ArtsDelaware

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts Announces the 2017 Delaware Arts Summit

Dover, Del. (October 17, 2017) – The biennial Arts Summit will be held on Monday, October 30, 2017 from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Dover. This year’s theme is “Arts for All: Transforming Individuals & Communities.”

The Arts Summit brings together Delaware’s arts community to connect, learn, and get inspired. The speakers and sessions will illuminate ways to create value and increase the impact of the arts to purposefully enhance well-being, understanding, learning, and creativity for all. Sessions include:

• Activism and Advocacy
• Intentional Practice
• Breaking Stereotypes
• Effective Marketing
• Sensitivity and Accessibility
• The Power of Volunteers

The keynote address will be presented by Liz Lerman, an internationally recognized choreographer, performer, writer, educator and speaker, who has been the recipient of such honors as a 2002 MacArthur Fellowship and a 2017 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award for her visionary work. Her artistry crosses all divides with results that are participatory and universally relevant.

Featured speakers will also include First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney; The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long, Lt. Governor; The Honorable Jeffrey W. Bullock, secretary of state; Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts; J. Mack Wathen, chair, Delaware State Arts Council; and Dan Cruce, board president, Delaware Arts Alliance.

For more information and to register for the conference, please visit: https://arts.delaware.gov/summit/.

Registration is $55 (includes breakfast, lunch and refreshments) and will be accepted online through October 24. If space is available, registration will also be accepted on site. Use hashtags: #DEArtSummit17 and #artsde; Tag us at: @ArtsDelaware

Featured speakers and workshop leaders will be:

• Speakers:
  • First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, State of Delaware
  • The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long, Lt. Governor
  • The Honorable Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State
  • Paul Weagraff, Director, Delaware Division of the Arts
  • J. Mack Wathen, Chair, Delaware State Arts Council
  • Dan Cruce, Board President, Delaware Arts Alliance
• Keynote Speaker:
  • Liz Lerman, Choreographer, Performer, Writer, Educator, Speaker
• Workshop Leaders:
  • Carol Barnett, Planner, DE Division of Services for the Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, New Castle, DE
  • Kelly Barsdate, Chief Program and Planning Officer, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Washington, D.C.
  • Randi Korn, Founding Director, Randi Korn & Associates, Inc., Alexandria, VA
  • Chris McLeod, Principal, CLM Marketing, Washington, D.C.
  • Jennie Smith-Peers, Executive Director, National Center for Creative Aging, Washington, D.C.
  • Sheri Wilensky Burke, Sheri Wilensky Burke Consulting LLC, Philadelphia, PA
• Artist Performers:
  • Fearless Improv, City Theater Company, featuring cast members Jana Savini, Mary Catherine Kelley, Dave Duszak, and George Tietze, uses listening, support, and yes-anding to create a show, on the spot, that magnifies the absurdity of the human experience.
  • Outreach Ensemble, Delaware Choral Society: Formed in 2014, the Delaware Choral Society (DCS) Outreach Ensemble is a subset of DCS. The group, directed by James Byrne and accompanied by Bryan Roscoe, performs for business and civic events as well as in hospital and residential facilities.

For more information on Summit speakers, artists, events and location, please visit: https://arts.delaware.gov/summit/.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov