<h1>National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017.</h1> Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $10,000 to Greenbrier Valley Theatre to produce ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,” adapted by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee. The NEA received 1,728 Art Works applications and will make 1,029 grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. “The arts reflect the vision, energy, and talent of America’s artists and arts organizations,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations such as Greenbrier Valley Theatre, in serving their communities by providing excellent and accessible arts experiences.” “We are grateful for this support from the National Endowment for the Arts, which makes it possible for us to bring “To Kill a Mockingbird” to the stage. This story can challenge our thinking and can change hearts and minds. Its narrative, so beautifully told through the eyes of innocence, exposes questions about race, class, injustice and poverty – all topics West Virginia needs to discuss now,” said GVT Producing Artistic Director Cathey Sawyer. GVT will produce a fully staged, professional production of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” adapted by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee. In addition to public performances on Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 6-7 and 13-14, GVT will offer school matinees throughout the run. Talkbacks and in-school workshops will also be available to participating schools. This project is presented with financial assistance from the Shubert Foundation, the Hollowell Foundation, the Greenbrier County Commission, the State of West Virginia and the West Virginia Division of Culture & History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. To learn more about this and other projects supported by the NEA this year, go to arts.gov.
