Press Release: NEA Grant Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2011
CONTACT: Melissa Woodrow, (831) 755-6984
E-MAIL: Click to email Melissa Woodrow.
AUTHOR: Written by Daniel Tarker, TWS Writer
National Endowment for the Arts Announces Grant to The Western Stage:
$15,000 grant will support “Let the Eagle Fly – The Story of Cesar Chavez”
May 17, 2011—Salinas, CA
Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, today announced that The Western Stage has been recommended for a grant of $15,000 to support its musical production of “Let the Eagle Fly – The Story of Cesar Chavez,” which tells the story of one of the most influential civil rights leaders of our time. This story traces Chavez’s life from childhood, as the son of migrant farm workers in the Great Depression, through his founding of the farm workers union and his commitment to the non-violent struggle for social and economic justice. The Western Stage is one of 1,145 not-for-profit national, regional, state, and local organizations recommended for a grant as part of the federal agency’s second round of fiscal year 2011 grants. In total, the arts endowment will distribute more than $88 million to support projects nationwide.
An independent agency of the federal government, the National Endowment for the Arts advances artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said, “NEA research shows that three out of four Americans participate in the arts. The diverse, innovative, and exceptional projects funded in this round will ensure that Americans around the country continue to have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts.”
“Let the Eagle Fly – The Story of Cesar Chavez”, is part of the continuing efforts of The Western Stage to develop multi-cultural theater that speaks to the values and history of the Salinas Valley community.
“Let the Eagle Fly” opens July 30, 2011, and runs through August 14. Performances are on the main stage of the Performing Arts Facility at Hartnell College in Salinas, CA.
Reserve your seats through The Western Stage ticket office at (831) 755-6816 or online at westernstage.com. For group sales, contact Ron Cacas at (831) 759-6012.
The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.
—Melissa Woodrow
