Prince Gets NEA Grant
Posted by John Lang on July 9, 2009 · 4 Comments
And now The Prince Theater is right up there with the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Baltimore Symphony and Baltimore Museum of Art — where, of course, it belongs.
It is among a very select group to get grants from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act – and it comes, $25,000, just in time for the Prince.
There were some 8,000 applications for a share in the $50 million that is being funneled through National Endowment for the Arts. Only 631 grants were awarded, including nine in Maryland.
Prince manager John Schratwieser says the $25,000 to the Prince “will go directly to address a nearly 30 percent shortfall in revenue due to the economy. It means the Prince will not have to cut staff or cut operations and will continue to serve the community via the many roles it plays.”
The NEA initiated this cycle of grants for nonprofit arts organizations to help fill operating gaps caused by a severe drop-off in individual contributions as well as grants from foundations and government.
Schratwieser couldn’t help crowing, “We share this honor with New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Cincinnati Museum Center and Baltimore Museum of Art and many other distinguished arts organizations through the country.”
Bravo, The Prince.
Clearly I’m biased given my involvement with the Prince Theatre on the board and on the stage, but to me the NEA grant confirms our mission which is to “enhance and inspire Maryland’s upper eastern shore community through arts and entertainment, cultural enrichment, and performing arts education for youth and adults.” We are so fortunate to have John Schratwieser, Lucia Foster and Ann Hedgepeth in our community. Their talent, commitment, and very hard work does enhance our lives in so many ways…..from staging top shelf community theater and musical productions to enriching the lives of our children in their schools with theater arts education to providing a venue for over a dozen other charitable and non-profit organizations. Bravo indeed.
Phillip, I am neither on the Board or stage but agree with everything you wrote. The Prince Theatre pours everything they have into furthering the arts in our community.
In a week of sad news of Chestertown businesses going away, this news is definitely a desperately needed bright spot.
Bravo John! Your dedication to the Prince and the community it serves has received the national recognition you and the Prince so richly deserve!
Yes, yes, yes ….. Bravo, Brava! Only nine grants in the state of Maryland and the Prince received one of them. That’s astonishing. The staff has earned every one of those grant dollars with their hearts, minds and unwavering commitment to this gem of a theatre. Thank you, John, Lucia, and Ann, for enriching our lives.