American Theatre Wing Honored with NEA Grant to Support SpringboardNYC

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced today that the American Theatre Wing is one of 817 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. The American Theatre Wing is recommended for a $20,000 grant to support SpringboardNYC, its summer boot camp that helps student actors make the transition from college to career, and Theatre Intern Group, a professional development group for young adults beginning careers in theatre administration and management.

American Theatre Wing Executive Director Heather Hitchens said, "These programs embody our commitment to developing the next generation of theatre professionals. Participants get unprecedented access to the professional theatre community at the highest level, in the world's leading live theatre marketplace. Mentored by working professionals from every area of expertise within the theatre industry, students learn to apply their skills and studies in the business of theatre, building bridges from college to career. I am elated that this year the NEA will once again lend its support to these important programs."

SpringboardNYC prepares promising college acting students for a dynamic career in theatre through a two-week "boot camp" taught by prominent members of New York City's theatrical community. As founders and co-producers of the Tony Awards, the Wing has access to an unparalleled network of theatrical professionals who serve as mentors, including actors, directors, agents, casting directors and more. These mentors teach workshops, seminars and master classes that focus on the craft as well as the business of theatre. Each year, 36 aspiring actors participate in SpringboardNYC, selected through a competitive application process. Since its founding ten years ago by Randy Ellen Lutterman, SpringboardNYC has helped launch the careers of over 350 young professionals nationwide.

Theatre Intern Group is a networking and professional development group for young people beginning careers in theatre administration and management. The program is open to interns and early career professionals in the NYC theatre industry and serves over 100 interns per year and over 800 alumni. Participants attend monthly panel discussions that examine the varied facets of the industry, going beyond the scope of their specific internships or entry-level jobs to offer insight into theatre management, finances, marketing and promotion, producing. The program also presents members with special volunteer and job opportunities, through internship fairs and career search tools, as well as theatre ticket offers to expand their professional and cultural opportunities.

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 opportunities for the public to engage with the arts."

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. 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, visit the NEA website at arts.gov.

For nearly a century, the mission of the Wing (William Ivey Long, Chair, Board of Directors; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) has been to serve and support the theatre by celebrating excellence, nurturing the public's appreciation of theatre, and providing unique educational and access opportunities for both practitioners and audiences. Best known for creating The Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, now presented with The Broadway League, ATW has developed the best-known national platform for the recognition of theatrical achievement on Broadway. Yet ATW's reach extends beyond Broadway and beyond New York, with educational and media work that offers the very best in theatre to people around the world. In addition to its various media programs and a host of other online resources, The Wing sponsors many activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre.

Visitors to americantheatrewing.org can listen to, watch or download from ATW's extensive media collection, and learn more about all of its programming for students, aspiring and working professionals, and audiences who want to learn more about the making of theatre. Follow ATW on Facebook.com/TheAmericanTheatreWing and Twitter.com/TheWing.