Chicago, IL (Top40 Charts/ Sones de Mexico Ensemble) National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman
Rocco Landesman announced today that Sones de Mexico Ensemble is one of 788 not-for-profit national, regional, state, and local organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. Sones de Mexico Ensemble was awarded a $35,000 grant to support, "Beyond the Music", a free, lecture/demo program aimed to raise awareness about Mexico's musical diversity and cultural heritage. The 788 Art Works grants total $24.81 million and support (a) the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, (b) public engagement with diverse and excellent art, (c) lifelong learning in the arts, and (d) the strengthening of communities through the arts.
Chairman Landesman said, "The arts should be a part of everyday life. Whether it's seeing a performance, visiting a gallery, participating in an art class, or simply taking a walk around a neighborhood enhanced by public art, these grants are ensuring that across the nation, the public is able to experience how art works."
The mission of Sones de México Ensemble is to promote greater appreciation of Mexican folk and traditional music culture through innovative performance, education, and dissemination. In the current climate of growing immigration from Mexico to the U.S., now more than ever, cross-cultural understanding is most important; it affects public policy and enriches community life. Funding for "Beyond the Music" will support a series of 25 free educational lectures, workshops and discussions on Mexican folk music, dance and culture. The series will be taught around the U.S. by members of the GRAMMY nominated Sones de Mexico Ensemble following their touring concert schedule between June 1st, 2012 and May 30th, 2013. In the past, Sones de Mexico has taken this program on its tours to over 20 different states, cross-culturally and cross-generationally with great results.
Juan Dies, Sones de Mexico Ensemble's Executive Director, states that, "Many people who enjoy our concerts and CDs don't realize the cultural diversity that exists within Mexico. "Beyond the Music" is an opportunity for us to go more in depth into this in a way that we cannot during our shows."
The NEA received 1,624 eligible applications under the Art Works category for this round of funding, requesting more than $78 million in funding. For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.
Sones de Mexico Ensemble is a not-for-profit organization committed to quality education programs for children and adults of all ages.
