Dell’Arte International Awarded California Arts Council “Veterans in the Arts” Grant

Blue Lake, CA – Today the California Arts Council announced a grant award of $16,200 to Dell’Arte International as part of its Veterans in the Arts program.

Veterans in the Arts addresses the needs and improves the lives of California’s veterans by increasing equity, access, and opportunities for veterans to participate in quality arts programming that is sensitive and responsive to their unique experiences. VIA provides project support for nonprofit arts organizations, local arts agencies, and veteran’s assistance agencies to reach veterans and their families.

With support from the California Arts Council, Dell’Arte will partner with Blue Ox Millworks to engage with the Humboldt County Veteran Community through the continuous development and showcases of RADIOMAN, a docu-play conceived by and for Humboldt County Veterans and their families. The project will offer opportunities for healing, sharing, and engaging with the greater community to strengthen relationships. A remount of RADIOMAN will run during this year’s 29th Annual Mad River Festival for five performances, with discounts available for Blue Star Families.

“At its heart, Radioman is about healing. It powerfully captures and tells the stories of veterans in a cathartic way that helps families, friends and community better understand how one finds their way back home from war. It is timeless and yet immediate. And it is born from the experience of Eric Hollenbeck here in our community, but ripples throughout the world. This is what Dell’Arte calls true theatre of place” says Michael Fields, Producing Artistic Director at Dell’Arte.

Dell’Arte International is one of 46 grantees chosen for the Veterans in the Arts program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council, with grant funds totaling a projected $24,508,541 for 2018-19, the highest investment in statewide arts programming since the 2000-01 fiscal year.

“Arts and culture are inextricably linked to our humanity,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “They serve as a universal touchpoint for understanding and addressing our societal issues—dismantling inequity, healing trauma, reframing justice, inspiring truth and shaping futures. The Council is humbled to support the vital work of Dell’Arte International and its passionate efforts to make a better California for us all.”

To view a complete listing of all Veterans in the Arts grantees, visit http://arts.ca.gov/programs/program_files/1819/CurrentGrantees/FY18-19_Project_Descriptions_VIA.pdf.