Muse Machine is the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA announced grant recipients earlier this month and Muse Machine was selected as the only arts education recipient in Ohio.

The grant supports the project Making Art, Engaging Community, which brings together internationally acclaimed theatre company Ping Chong + Company and outstanding local artists for an eight-week residency program at Stivers School for the Arts and Ruskin Elementary in Dayton. The residencies will explore the themes of identity, belonging and sense of place. Drawing from their significant personal and family experiences, students will be creatively mentored to use oral histories to create original theatrical performances for sharing with the community during winter 2020.

Teaching artist Ryan Canarro (of Ping Chong + Company) leads a creative workshop with Muse teachers

The NEA’s priority in grant making is artistic excellence and merit. “We’re honored to receive this recognition from the NEA. This project was recognized for its potential to celebrate cultural heritage, enrich humanity and build community,” said Executive Director Mary Campbell Zopf.

Dayton has a changing demographic and there are as many as 13 languages being spoken in these schools. Campbell Zopf added that “These artists love to work with culturally and linguistically rich communities and help students develop a mutual respect for the lives that everyone brings to school each day.”

“The arts enhance our communities and our lives,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “We look forward to seeing these projects take place throughout the country, giving Americans opportunities to learn, to create, to heal and to celebrate.”

The project is also supported by funding from: Allegro Fund of the Dayton Foundation, Iddings Foundation and Vectren Foundation.