DeLauro Applauds NEA Grants for Five Local Institutions

Will Support Design Education, Music, Art in New Haven

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today applauded the news that five local institutions have received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The awards are as follows:

· Architecture Resource Center Inc. $10,000 to support the expansion of Design Connections, a design education professional development initiative.

· Artspace, Inc. $30,000 for visual arts.

· Music Haven, Inc. $20,000 to support a tuition-free, year long, after-school music residency of the Haven String Quartet.

· Neighborhood Music School, Inc. $20,000 to support Instrumental Impact, a partnership with the New Haven Public Schools providing one-on-one instrumental music instruction and ensemble participation for students.

· New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Inc. $25,000 to support the Christopher Brubeck educational residency.

“Creative works are a vital part of Americans’ everyday lives and fill the need to engage our imaginations, and expose people to experiences they may otherwise never have had. As one of my heroes, former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, said: ‘The arts are not a frill. The arts are a response to our individuality and our nature, and help to shape our identity.’ I look forward to seeing the great work ahead from these five organizations.”

DeLauro is a longtime supporter of the arts and their role in strengthening communities.

The five organizations were among nearly 900 nationwide to receive grants totaling over $23 million, including $1.6 million for arts education. Recipients came from 47 states and the District of Columbia. Grants from the NEA generate an average of $9 from non-federal sources for each $1 of federal money awarded.