News

NEA awards $30,000 to ECT for Institute for Arts Integration

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chair Joan Shigekawa announced today that Enchanted Circle Theater is one of 817 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. Enchanted Circle Theater is recommended for a $30,000 grant to support The Institute for Arts Integration.

The Institute for Arts Integration (IAI) is a professional development institute for teachers in grades Pre-K to 12 and pre-service teachers from area colleges and universities. The IAI is a comprehensive, multi-layered, evidence-based program, designed to train teachers in the pedagogy of arts integration as a method for making classroom learning come alive in a meaningful and memorable way.  Developed and taught by ECT master teaching artists, and a curriculum specialist from Collaborative for Educational Services, the Institute will serve 45 participants, including teachers from Holyoke and Springfield and pre-service teachers from local colleges and universities.

“We are excited to be able to move forward in our strategic plan of creating a hub for arts integration training for teachers, administrators, and teaching artists in Western Massachusetts.  We are extremely proud of being considered a national model with the highest standards of artistic and educational integrity,” said Enchanted Circle Theater Executive Artistic Director Priscilla Kane Hellweg.
In August 2012, the NEA received 1,547 eligible applications for Art Works grants requesting more than $80 million in funding. 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 the strengthening of communities through the arts.

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 opportunities for the public to engage with the arts.”

The 817 recommended NEA grants total $26.3 million and span 13 artistic disciplines and fields. Applications were reviewed by panels of outside experts convened by NEA staff and each project was judged on its artistic excellence and artistic merit. For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.