James Irvine Foundation Honors East West Players Twice

Earlier this month, Tim Dang, producing artistic director of East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, was honored with a 2009 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for increasing understanding of and appreciation for California's diversity and creating new opportunities for Asian American artists. Stewart Kwoh, of the Asian Pacific American Legal Council, nominated and on June 9th California State Controller John Chiang presented Tim with the award on behalf of the James Irvine Foundation program in Sacramento.

Tim is the second arts recipient to receive this honor from the Irvine Foundation since the inception of the Leadership Awards in 2006, the other being Sheldon Epps, artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse.

"I am very thrilled that the Irvine Foundation has chosen to honor Tim Dang and East West Players with the Leadership Award this year," said Epps. "In addition to knowing that Tim and his company richly deserve this honor, I am greatly moved by the fact that the Foundation has once again wisely bestowed this coveted award on the leader of an arts organization."

"After hearing remarks at the awards ceremony by James Canales, president and CEO of the James Irvine Foundation, and meeting with other leaders of the foundation, it was clear how forward thinking and strategic the Foundation's mission is in enriching the lives of the people of California," said Dang.

Epps added, "By making this choice, the Foundation and the selection committee acknowledge the reality that the arts have a profound social and economic benefit to all American communities, and that art can be used to address vital issues and challenges in our society. Our theatres certainly are meant to provide entertainment and to sustain the art of the theatre. But they can also serve as valuable community service organizations which inspire much needed conversations and the formulation of ideas that serve us all as we move forward."

On June 16th East West Players learned that it received another honor from the James Irvine Foundation. The foundation confirmed a renewed grant in its continuing support of East West Players' literary programs to develop and nurture new artistic works. This grant, approved through a different process with different guidelines, provides EWP with $300,000 over the next three years.

"The demographics of California are changing quickly and this support will help us raise the visibility of these new voices. And what better way to share these stories with the community at large than through the arts. This recognition is significant during this challenging time when developing new works brings on added risks. It is a validation of our artistic work," Dang continued.

"The focus that the Leadership Award brought to our work at Pasadena Playhouse was of great value to the continued success of our mission, and I am sure that Tim and East West Players will be equally well served by this greatly deserved recognition," said Epps.

East West Players
120 Judge John Aiso Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

For more information visit www.eastwestplayers.org

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