PR-2056
November 13, 2020
Center Stage Season 6th Open Call for Nominations and Online Applications
November 12th- December 13th, 2020
The American Institute in Taiwan, in collaboration with the State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is honored to announce that Taiwan has been selected to participate in the Sixth Season of Center Stage, a public diplomacy initiative funded by ECA. A call for nominations of performing artists and groups from Argentina, Armenia and Taiwan is publicly open from now through December 13, 2020. Through a merit-based selection process, seven ensembles total will be invited to tour the U.S. from July 2022 to May 2023.
Center Stage creates opportunities for exchange among artists, presenters, and the public, creating alliances for exploration – and mutual understanding. Since 2012, 29 performing arts ensembles from nine nations – Algeria, Egypt, Haiti, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Tanzania, Ukraine, and Vietnam – have visited 100 different communities in 35 states and Washington, D.C. Five ensembles from Colombia and Peru will tour the United States during the 2021-22 presenting season. As hosted by colleges and universities, festivals, music clubs, and cultural centers, tours travel to large cities and small towns, and feature a range of activities from performances, workshops, and discussions, to artist-to-artist exchanges, masterclasses, and community gatherings.
Nominations of professional performing arts ensembles may be submitted by anyone, including presenters, artists and their representatives, U.S. mission or AIT personnel, regional arts organizations, state arts agencies, international institutions, and individuals in the United States and abroad knowledgeable about performing arts. Artists interested in participating may submit a nomination on behalf of their own ensemble. Multiple nominations for ensembles are accepted.
Selection Criteria:
- Demonstrate high artistic quality and accomplishment.
- Have an interest in engaging with U.S. communities, including youth, through public and in-school performances, workshops, discussions, artist-to-artist exchanges, and social events.
- Be comprised of two to nine ensemble members (artists and staff) who are citizens and residents of Taiwan, and 21 years or older at the time of a Center Stage tour.
- Have previous touring experience but have rarely been seen in the United States.
- Have an ability to communicate electronically via email and Zoom in English.
- Have an interest and agree to actively share their experiences through traditional press outreach, social media channels, and other virtual means.
- Be available to tour in the United States for approximately one month during the period of July 2022 – May 2023.
- Center Stage is particularly interested in professional artists creating contemporary work.
All eligible nominations will be considered. A total of seven ensembles will be selected through a multi-step merit-based review and evaluation process. Nominations open on November 12 and are due by midnight Eastern Standard Time, December 13, 2020. For more information about the selection process and timeline, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CS6Nominations
Information in Chinese and English is available on the official website of the National Cultural and Arts Foundation, Taiwan Creative Content Agency and Performing Arts Alliance. Members of the media are welcome to share this information on the digital news channels.
Center Stage is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government. It is administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. General management is provided by Lisa Booth Management, Inc.
ABOUT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
This Bureau of the State Department promotes mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international education and exchange programs. Through its Cultural Programs Division, the Bureau supports a variety of cultural exchange programs that support U.S. foreign policy, foster America’s artistic excellence, and demonstrate America’s respect and appreciation for other cultures and traditions.
ABOUT LISA BOOTH MANAGEMENT, INC.
Lisa Booth Management, Inc. (LBMI) realizes contemporary performing arts projects for the widest possible public. A producer, curator, and manager, LBMI’s projects have taken place in more than 500 cities in 55 countries on six continents since 1983. As general manager for Center Stage, LBMI is responsible for tour scheduling, residency planning, promotion, artist care, travel, tax, and visa arrangements, production/backline coordination, tour staffing, and 24/7 oversight.
ABOUT NEFA
The New England Foundation for the Arts invests in artists and communities and fosters equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation. NEFA accomplishes this by granting funds to artists and cultural organizations; connecting them to each other and their audiences; and analyzing their economic contributions. NEFA serves as a regional partner for the National Endowment for the Arts, New England’s state arts agencies, and private foundations. NEFA is the U.S. Department of State’s primary partner for Center Stage. Learn more at www.nefa.org.