National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced today that The Jazz Bakery is one of 895 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. The Jazz Bakery is recommended for a $15,000 grant to support three concerts, a master class and a pre-concert lecture featuring three NEA Jazz Masters as part of the jazz bakery’s Movable Feast concert series.
Featured in these events will be Bassist Ron Carter, who will bring his trio to Zipper Hall at the Colburn School of Music, and will also present a master class to students at the Colburn School. Pianist Kenny Barron will present his trio at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center and will also offer a pre-concert lecture. Pianist Toshiko Akioshi will bring her quartet, featuring saxophonist Lew Tabackin to the Japan America Theater. Dates and times for these events in 2014 have not yet been finalized.
Acting Chairman Shigekawa said, “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support these exciting and diverse arts projects that will take place throughout the United States. Whether it is through a focus on education, engagement, or innovation, these projects all contribute to vibrant communities and memorable experiences for the public to engage with the arts.”
Jazz Bakery artistic director and founder Ruth Price said, “It’s an honor to receive a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and a joy to be able to present these three important Jazz Masters, who are all great friends of the Jazz Bakery. Being recognized by the NEA as an important cultural institution in Los Angeles is a dream come true, and helps support our Movable Feast series while we look forward to the opening of our beautiful, permanent new home designed by Frank Gehry.”
Art Works grants support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence: public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancing the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,528 eligible Art Works applications, requesting more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 895 are recommended for grants for a total of $ 23.4 million.
For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.
Founded in 1992 by jazz vocalist Ruth Price, the Jazz Bakery has achieved international acclaim by presenting the finest musicians from around the world 350 nights a year. After 18 years of presenting the finest jazz and new music in the world at a rented space in Culver City, the Jazz Bakery is building a permanent new home. This new building has been designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, and will be situated in the heart of Culver City’s burgeoning downtown arts district right next to the Kirk Douglas Theater. The new Jazz Bakery will present year-round performances and educational programs in two state-of-the-art theaters, with an art gallery, cafe/bar and the West Coast Interactive Jazz Museum.