The Northrop Dance Series was among the 1,248 projects across the country selected to receive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

NEA recently approved Northrop for the $30,000 Grants for Arts Projects award. The grant will support the series’ presentation of dance performances and audience engagement activities.

Established as an independent federal agency by Congress in 1965, NEA provides the funding and support necessary to give Americans opportunities to participate in the arts. Since its inception, NEA has awarded $5.6 billion to support performances, exhibitions and other art activities nationwide.

A handful of Twin Cities organizations received an award from NEA this year alongside Northrop; $25,000 was awarded to Mixed Blood Theatre Company, $55,000 to Children’s Theatre Company and $20,000 to Minnesota Opera, to name a few.

“The Grants for Arts Projects funds awarded by NEA will help support the presentation and audience engagement activities of six dance companies and musicians this spring,” Northrop Director Kari Schloner said. Opportunities for audience engagement will include family programming, school matinees, master classes and other activities.

Schloner noted the importance of grants for performing arts organizations as revenue from ticket sales continues to be adversely affected by COVID-19.

“It could easily be several years before we see pre-pandemic levels of earned revenue,” Schloner said. “While that source of funding remains unstable and unreliable, other sources of financial support such as grants like this one from NEA are more critical than ever.”

NEA Acting Chair Ann Eilers said projects such as the Northrop Dance Series help support the community’s creative economy.
“Northrop in Minneapolis is among the arts organizations nationwide that are using the arts as a source of strength, a path to well-being and providing access and opportunity for people to connect and find joy through the arts,” Eilers said.

The series’ lineup of upcoming dance performances includes a ballet by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, a new work from Paul Taylor Dance Company by Peter Chu, Ragamala Dance Company’s “Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim.”

“With this support from NEA, Northrop will continue to enrich our community, bringing world class dance and music to the Twin Cities and connecting artists and audiences in meaningful experiences,” Schloner said. “The arts unify, heal and give hope, which is something we all need now.”