Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is among the three-member consortium of university-based, multi-disciplinary performing arts centers awarded grants totaling $1.9 million by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Krannert Center, Cal Performances at the University of California at Berkeley, and the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan each will receive a grant for $600,000 to support their respective classical music presenting and commissioning programs between January 2010 and June 2013.
An additional $100,000 was awarded to the consortium to support collaborative activities, including commissioning.
With these grants, the foundation recognizes the economic pressures presenting unprecedented challenges to the three organizations, especially with their commitment to preserving classical music offerings.
The consortium members seek to promote classical music as an art form of enduring cultural relevance.
During the 3 -year duration of the grant, each institution will develop and implement strategies for securing new funds to extend the impact of the foundation’s investment beyond the third year. In addition, the consortium will work with the foundation to convene a summit on the future of classical music presentation at colleges and universities. A select group of leaders will be invited to share information and perspectives on the current state of the field and to collectively plan possible pathways forward.
“I am deeply grateful to the Mellon Foundation for this extraordinary support which will enable Krannert Center for the Performing Arts – alongside its distinguished counterpart institutions – to extend its ambitious commitment to excellence in classical music programming and related educational engagement efforts at a moment of protracted financial challenge,” said Mike Ross, director of the Krannert Center. “I am also thankful for the support this grant represents in its commitment to living composers and in elevating the national dialogue surrounding classical music in contemporary society.”
