Pahrump Arts Council receives National Endowment grant

Pahrump Arts Council President Loretta Lindell is applauding a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The agency’s chairman, Jane Chu, approved more than $30 million in grants as part of the NEA’s first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017.

The Challenge America grant to the Pahrump Arts Council is for “Arts Americana,” a series of performances that feature uniquely American creativity, according to a press release.

The Challenge America category supports primarily small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations, where opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.

“The arts are for all of us, and by supporting organizations such as the Pahrump Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts is providing more opportunities for the public to engage with the arts,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “Whether in a theater, a town square, a museum, or a hospital, the arts are everywhere and make our lives richer.”

Lindell, meanwhile, said it was a privilege for the PAC’s arts programs to be recognized for the second year at the national level by the NEA.

“The arts are inclusive, regardless of age or income level, and our programs reflect that.”

Additionally, Lindell said Arts Americana will feature live performances by artists in jazz, western music, cowboy poetry, body percussion, and step dancing, including the Shapiro Project which is a multi-genre jazz quartet from Las Vegas, headed by Eugene Shapiro.

T.J. Casey is a working cowboy from Montana known for his love of western music and cowboy poetry.

Jason Nious of Molodi Live, Las Vegas, has performed around the world with a unique brand of body percussion and step dancing.

Lindell noted that jazz and step dancing have deep roots in the African-American experience.

She also said the music of the American West is known internationally, with roots in the romanticized image of the lonesome cowboy singing to his cattle.

“All of the artists will include school demonstrations as part of their performances,” Lindell said. “We hope to create larger events around each of the performances to provide arts experiences that are fun and accessible for everyone. The performance schedule will be announced after the first of the year.”

To learn more about the Pahrump Arts Council call 775-751-6776.

For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.