UCSB Arts & Lectures Gets $25,000 Grant

UCSB Arts & Lectures this week joined 918 other nonprofits — out of 1,474 applications — in winning a $25,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant; the federal agency awarded $26.6 million overall. For the past three years, the program — the largest such one between Los Angeles and San Francisco — has benefited from NEA Art Works awards.

“We’re thrilled and honored to be recognized by the NEA with this grant,” said the program’s Miller McCune executive director, Celesta Billeci. “The NEA stamp of approval is deeply meaningful to us — it puts Arts & Lectures on par with some of the greatest arts and cultural institutions in the nation. We are grateful for this support, which will enable us to continue to present innovate new works and programming of the highest caliber.”

Jane Chu, chair of the national organization, commended UCSB’s program, which started in 1959 and offers 100-plus events every year. “I’m pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works, including the award to UCSB Arts & Lectures. The arts foster value, connection, creativity, and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives.”

Congressmember Lois Capps also congratulated the university on the money. “NEA grants benefit our Central Coast community through public engagement, while also boosting our local economy. I am proud of the Arts & Lectures program for receiving this award, which will continue to support their outstanding programming.”