Lied, Interdisciplinary Arts Symposium win NEA grant

Jul 14th, 2010 | By | Category: Arts & Entertainment, June 17

The Lied Center for Performing Arts and the Interdisciplinary Arts Symposium at UNL have been awarded an Artistic Excellence grant from the National Endowment of the Arts for their activities in 2010-11.

With the $25,000 grant, the Lied Center and IAS will explore new perspectives on diversity via a series of performances and educational activities.

“The Lied Center is very honored to be recognized at a national level for its programs of artistic excellence and diversity. This grant award supports the Lied Center in presenting cutting-edge works that expand the spectrum of arts experiences,” said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center.

The Lied Center and IAS started working together in the 2009-10 season, when they collaborated on a series of events. Those events included Modern Dance Week, when the Lied Center presented Paul Taylor Dance Co., and IAS brought in David Dorfman Dance. Renowned dance critic Marcia Siegel delivered a free lecture about the two companies, and also took part in a multitude of sessions with UNL students as part of this special week.

“I am thrilled that, after only one season, our new program, the Interdisciplinary Arts Symposium has received such wonderful recognition,” said Rhonda Garelick, IAS director and professor of English. “This grant will help us continue to provide opportunities for enhanced understanding and appreciation of cutting-edge performing arts for the university and the community.”

For the 2010-11 season, IAS focuses on “technology, prosthetics, and the body in performance,” showcasing artists who stretch, alter or question the limits of the physical body through technology. Guests include award-winning choreographer Jody Sperling, who enhances her body via film, electricity, and other tools. Sperling will deliver a public lecture and master classes with UNL students and her company Time Lapse Dance will perform at the Lied Center in September.

Other IAS/Lied partnership events include performances by the AXIS Dance Co., and Heidi Latsky’s Dance Company GIMP, both in October; and an exhibition and 10-day residency by French artist Orlan; and a free-lecture demonstration series that will include dance critic Joan Acocella of The New Yorker Magazine.

A portion of the NEA grant will go to support a mainstage presentation of the Harlem Gospel Choir.

For more information about Lied events, go to www.liedcenter.org. For more information about IAS, contact Kenneth Seidel at kan@huskers.unl.edu.

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