Jerome Foundation Supports New Theater and Dance Works in Minnesota

The Jerome Foundation in St. Paul supported the development of several new works by emerging theater and dance artists in Minnesota as part of its Dec. 2003 grant awards.

The foundation made a grant commitment of $10,000 to Pangea World Theater, Minneapolis, to support "Bridges," a series of performance events, panels and workshops designed to create passageways across art forms, cultures, aesthetics, class, borders and traditions. The idea is to co-mingle art forms and cultures, foster new collaborations among diverse artists, encourage those artists to take risks in their work, and create bridges of understanding for audiences. Over the next two years, Pangea expects to present two or three collaborative works emanating from "Bridges."

Mixed Blood Theatre, Minneapolis, received a $15,000 grant from Jerome to support the commissioning, development and full production of new plays by emerging playwrights. Mixed Blood is a professional, multi-racial theater dedicated to encouraging cultural pluralism, individual equality and artistic excellence. Jerome dollars will be directed toward the emerging artists who are participating in the "Bill of (W)Rights" Project, the development of a new play by Zaraawar Mistry, further work on a new piece by Victor Zupanc, and other projects.

The experimental theater ensemble MaMa mOsAiC received $9,000 from Jerome to support the development of "BRIDEPRICE.:" The mission of this theater collective is to evoke positive social change through female-centered theater that is empowering and entertaining. "BRIDEPRICE" is being developed by the core members of MaMa mOsAiC in dialogue with collaborating artists and members of the broader community. MaMa mOsAiC will explore institutionalized misogyny, and how we collectively take responsibility for our roles in its practices. "BRIDEPRICE" will incorporate text (poetry and prose), movement, music and multimedia.

In dance, the foundation awarded $21,000 to the Minnesota Dance Theatre, Minneapolis, to support the commissioning of new work by emerging choreographers in the 2003-2004 season. Jerome's funding will support the development and production of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," created by New York City-based choreographer Scott Rink. Based on the classic poem by Goethe, the work features a music montage by Scott Marshall and costumes by Tracy Christensen. In addition, MDT resident choreographer Stéphane André will create a work, based on Eugene Ionesco's play "The Chairs," about an elderly couple and their futile, ironic attempt to pass on their life experience to humankind.

Women in Motion, the performing company of choreographer Ananya Chatterjea, received $9,000 for the development of the new work "Bandh." Chatterjea, trained in Indian classical and folk dance traditions, became an exponent of the Odissi style of classical dance at a young age, and brought into that style elements of street and political theater. "Bandh" is autobiographical, based on the story of an immigrant woman who leaves a difficult marital situation, with a young child, to search for a different life and safety. 

Other Minnesota recipients of recent Jerome Foundation grants include:

• Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minneapolis, $15,000 to support Jerome Printmaking Residencies for Emerging Artists. Highpoint is dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking through educational programs, studio access and collaborative publishing opportunities. In 2004, Highpoint will offer three eight-month residencies for emerging print artists at the center, followed by an exhibition of their work.
      
• Midway Contemporary Art, St. Paul, $5,000 for the participation of emerging Minnesota and New York City artists in the 2003-2004 exhibition program. The mission of the gallery is to present the work of emerging artists and create a dialogue between Twin Cities and national artists.
     
• St. John's University, Collegeville, $45,500 over two years to support the St. John's Pottery Emerging Artists Program. Each year, St. John's invites emerging artists from Minnesota and New York City to apply for two-month residencies at the Pottery, with unlimited access to raw materials, to produce new work. They receive honoraria, travel stipends, food, lodging, supplies and the experience of making work in a studio environment, with ample opportunity for mentorship and technical support.
     
• VocalEssence, Minneapolis, $22,000 to support the 2004 Essentially Choral program. Under the direction of conductor Philip Brunelle, Essentially Choral serves emerging composers interested in writing for vocal ensembles with instrumental accompaniment.

In total, the board of directors of the Jerome Foundation approved 26 grants totaling $579,500 on Dec. 5, 2003.

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