(New York, NY)

General Support

Total Award: $100,000 over 1 year

To support Art: 21 - Art in the Twenty-First Century, a national PBS primetime series that focuses on contemporary visual artists, and creates a series of companion books, curricular resources, outreach and screening events, a website and a film and video archive. Founded in 1996, Art 21 is committed to introducing the public to innovative artists from diverse geographic, ethnic, cultural and artistic backgrounds. Television is an ideal medium for this subject because it enables viewers to see and understand artworks in a new way by revealing the thought processes of the artists and by providing intimate access to artists' homes, studios and communities. This series extensive Education and Outreach program makes the program viable long past the time of the original broadcasts. Education and Outreach materials are used and informed by educators from across the country. The artists who have been interviewed for the series thus far, are examining issues of identity, race, political struggles and social commentary. With support from NCF, Art 21 will use the television series to improve the public's understanding of contemporary art by revealing the artist's creative process. The education and outreach program will stimulate innovative teaching and provide new models by offering professional development workshops, curriculum, long-term partnership and special projects. There will also be a companion publication that will be published by Harry N. Abrams.

Program Contribution Breakdown:
$100,000 Arts and Culture Program: Objective I, Strategy 3