Arts Access Program to receive $10K grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $25 million in grants as part of the NEA's first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018.

Included in this announcement is a Challenge America grant of $10,000 which has been approved to support the Arts Access Program at Matheny in Peapack-Gladstone.

The Challenge America category features NEA support for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations-those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.

"It is energizing to see the impact that the arts are making throughout the United States. These NEA-supported projects, such as this one to Matheny's Arts Access Program, are good examples of how the arts build stronger and more vibrant communities, improve well-being, prepare our children to succeed, and increase the quality of our lives," said Jane Chu. "At the National Endowment for the Arts, we believe that all people should have access to the joy, opportunities and connections the arts bring."

Eileen Murray, Director of the Arts Access Program, said "We are extremely honored and grateful to the National Endowments for the Arts. This generous award will help us to celebrate and honor the creative achievements of our artists with disabilities at Full Circle 2018, Arts Access' yearly arts showcase. As we mark our milestone 25th Anniversary of the Arts Access Program this year, the award will enable us to make Full Circle even more memorable as we celebrate a quarter-century of art without limits. The event is a priceless opportunity for the remarkable Arts Access artists to shine, as they proudly present their writing, dance and dramatic works on stage, and exhibit their paintings and sculptures in a professional gallery."

Full Circle 2018: Then and Now, takes place on Nov. 3 in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center on the Matheny campus in Peapack. It consists of professional performers, designers, and curators who work alongside Arts Access artists to help bring their visions to life.

The gallery show is accompanied by a culinary tasting provided by local gourmet restaurants. To purchase tickets, go to artsaccessprogram.org. For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

Submitted by Matheny

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