Clarksville, TN – As National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman has noted, “Art works everywhere,” which is why the NEA’s Challenge America Fast-Track (CAFT) program supports projects from primarily small and mid-sized arts organizations that extend the reach of the arts to underserved audiences —those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.

Roxy Productions Inc. (dba Roxy Regional Theatre) was selected to receive one of the 162 grants of $10,000 awarded to organizations in 46 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Awarded funds will be used to support the Roxy Regional Theatre’s March/April 2012 production of The Red Badge of Courage, adapted by John McDonald from the novel by Stephen Crane. As the second installment in the Roxy’s four-year series commemorating The Sesquicentennial of The Civil War, performances will be targeted to military and student audiences. This is the Roxy’s third Challenge America Fast-Track Grant from the NEA, following awards in FY2009 and FY2011.

“Taken together, these Challenge America Fast-Track grants provide an extraordinary sampling of the work that arts organizations do to reach underserved communities,” said Chairman Landesman. “With these grants, we are helping to ensure that art works for all Americans.”

Roxy Regional Theatre Artistic Director John McDonald noted, “To have the acknowledgement of the National Endowment of the Arts places us on a higher plane and gains us national recognition as a major contributor to the arts in our community, as well as a cultural asset to our surrounding counties.”

The program is called Fast-Track because of its expedited review timeline. Roxy Productions Inc. was notified approximately six months after applying. Also, with 375 eligible applications submitted from across the country, there was significant competition for funding for these grants. Roxy Productions Inc.’s grant award is evidence of the artistic excellence and artistic merit of their production of The Red Badge of Courage.

Please see the complete listing of projects recommended for Challenge America Fast-Track grant support here.

About Roxy Productions Inc.

Roxy Productions Inc. (dba the Roxy Regional Theatre) has dedicated itself to producing theatre meeting the highest artistic standards, first as a community theatre and then as a professional regional theatre, presenting over 500 mainstage productions and 75 alternative stage productions since its inception in 1983.

For more information, visit www.roxyregionaltheatre.org.

About The National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities.

The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at www.arts.gov.

Clarksville Arts & Heritage Development Council, City of Clarksville Parks & Recreation and Roxy Productions, Inc. awarded matching grants.

NASHVILLE – Senator Tim Barnes has released the list of grant award recipients from the Tennessee Arts Commission for Fiscal Year 2010 (July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010) in the 22nd district, which includes Cheatham, Houston and Montgomery Counties.

• The Clarksville Arts and Heritage Development Council received  $7,400.
• City of Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation received $4,600.
• Roxy Productions, Inc. received $25,000
• The Houston County Arts Council received $6,650

“The arts are important; they improve education when integrated into curriculum, contribute to our economy, and make our communities exciting,” stated Sen. Barnes. “The organizations that will benefit from these grants this year will be able to continue to provide Montgomery County with invaluable services that enhance our daily lives.”

“This state is indeed fortunate to have elected leaders who support the work of the Tennessee Arts Commission in building better communities through the arts,” said Kim McClamroch, incoming chair of the Tennessee Arts Commission.

According to McClamroch, the Commission will award over 850 grants during Fiscal Year 2010, totaling more than $7.6 million dollars. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural areas. Grant categories include: Arts Build Communities, Arts Access, Arts Education, Arts Project Support, Funds For At-Risk Youth, General Operating Support, Individual Artist Fellowship, Major Cultural Institution, Rural Arts Project Support, Student Ticket Subsidy, Technical Assistance, Touring, Special Opportunities, and Professional Development Support.

The Commission’s allocation process involves a review by citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate arts disciplines and a review and final approval by the full 15-member Tennessee Arts Commission.

The Tennessee Arts Commission’s matching grants are made possible through an appropriation of state funds by the General Assembly, Federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who purchased specialty and collegiate license plates. The sale of specialty and collegiate license plates, which are voluntarily purchased by Tennesseans each year, make up $5.5 million of the Commission’s grant funding.

The Tennessee Arts Commission is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences that add value to the lives of every citizen, and enhances the quality of life in Tennessee communities.

Additional information on grant programs offered by the Tennessee Arts Commission is available at: www.arts.state.tn.us

About Senator Tim Barnes

Senator Tim Barnes