Miami Dade College’s (MDC) MDC Live Arts has been recommended for an Art Works award of $30,000 for select shows next season, part of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017.

Communities need culture in order to thrive and culture needs the support of its communities in order to survive,” said Kathryn Garcia, executive director of MDC Live Arts. “MDC Live Arts is so grateful to receive this invaluable federal support and is proud to be carrying the message that the arts and artists are vital to the growth of our communities.”

The Arts Works Grant would support extraordinary performances as part of MDC Live Arts’ 2017-18 Season: Ojala/ Inshallah: Wishes from the Muslim World. Designed to challenge widespread assumptions concerning contemporary Muslim identity, the season will feature Muslim and MENA artists in performances, residencies, conversations, and community workshops. Genres will span music, dance, theater, spoken word and multimedia; styles, from traditional to cutting edge. Performances and engagements will take place all around Miami. The season line up will be announced in August 2017.

The NEA received 1,728 Art Works applications and will make 1,029 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. NEA Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects across the country.

“The arts reflect the vision, energy, and talent of America’s artists and arts organizations,” said Chu. “National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations such as MDC Live Arts, in serving their communities by providing excellent and accessible arts experiences.”

The work of MDC Live Arts has been supported federally through the NEA since its inception, positioning the organization on the national landscape of cultural initiatives that foster the American values of creative practice and engagement as vital components of society. Through such support since its founding in 1990, MDC Live Arts has sparked much growth in Miami, now a significant global destination because of its expansive arts and culture.

To join the Twitter conversation about this announcement, please use #NEASpring17. For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, go to arts.gov

About MDC Live Arts

MDC Live Arts is Miami’s most eclectic performing arts series. Created in 1990 as Cultura del Lobo, MDC Live Arts has a celebrated history of bringing extraordinary national and international performing artists to Miami. The annual series presents today’s most exciting artists and designs meaningful engagement between these artists, the students of MDC, and the greater community. MDC Live Arts seeks artists from across the globe that pushes boundaries and honor traditions relevant to Miami’s diverse community, and aims to offer audiences opportunities to discover new ideas, perspectives and forms of expression.

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