Now in its second season, Center Stage introduces performing artists from abroad to American communities. Seven acclaimed contemporary dance and music ensembles from Morocco, Pakistan, and Vietnam will perform, interact, and begin meaningful dialogues with Americans from June through December 2014. Artists touring as part of Center Stage will help build mutual understanding via cultural expression and people to people connections. Poor Rich Boy, artful indie rock from Lahore, Pakistan, will kick off the first Center Stage tour this June. Find more details on all events. 

On May 1, NEFA board and staff gathered colleagues and friends to celebrate former NEFA executive director Rebecca Blunk, for her 29 years of leadership and vision. Read more by NEFA board members Mary Kelley and Andrea Rogers on NEFA's blog.

Image (l-r): NEFA board chair Larry Simpson; Patrice Walker Powell of the National Endowment for the Arts; former NEFA executive director Rebecca Blunk; NEFA board member Randall Rosenbaum; founding NEFA executive director Tom Wolf; by Sancho Maulion

We are pleased to announce recent awards from:

• National Endowment for the Arts 
  ($1,045,800 in partnership funding)
• City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
  ($25,000 for the National Theater Project)

And thank you to the six New England State Arts Agencies for their partnership funding this year!   

• Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
• Maine Arts Commission
• Massachusetts Cultural Council
• New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
• Rhode Island State Council on the Arts   
• Vermont Arts Council