City of Roswell & Roswell Cultural Arts Awarded $35,000 NEA Grant for Theatre Initiative

The City of Roswell and its Recreation, Parks, Historic, and Cultural Affairs Department is thrilled to announce its receipt of a prestigious $35,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This significant award will support the innovative initiative, Building Community through Theatre, aimed at bringing dynamic, professional, and impactful stage productions to our local community. This grant is part of the NEA’s second round of fiscal year 2024 funding, which includes 1,135 awards totaling over $37 million.

NEA Chair's Endorsement

“Building Community through Theatre exemplifies the remarkable ways in which the arts foster creativity, connection, and resilience within our communities,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “By investing in projects like these, we enhance cultural vitality, health, wellbeing, infrastructure, and the economy nationwide.”

Community Impact

Beckie Hawkins, Deputy Director of Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs for the City of Roswell, expressed the city’s gratitude: “The City of Roswell is deeply honored to receive the Grants for Arts Projects award. We are immensely thankful to the National Endowment for the Arts for their investment in communities like ours. Theatre’s powerful storytelling and narrative potential unite people, and this generous award opens up tremendous possibilities for our community.”

City's Gratitude & Vision

Receiving this grant from the National Endowment for the Arts is a testament to the vibrant cultural heartbeat of Roswell,” said Councilmember Lee Hills. “This funding will not only bring high-caliber theatre productions to our community but also strengthen our collective spirit by fostering connection, creativity, and cultural enrichment. We are proud to support initiatives that make Roswell a hub of artistic excellence and community engagement.

Upcoming Productions

This grant will bring to life Martha Redbone’s Bone Hill: The Concert, an autobiographical musical that spans three generations of an Appalachian family, celebrating the author’s Native and African American heritage. Additionally, the funding will support the production of the Tony-nominated musical, Violet, by Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley. Set in Depression-era America, Violet is an inspiring tale of a young girl’s transformative journey, featuring top-tier talent from Atlanta’s vibrant theatre scene.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center Season Highlights

Roswell Cultural Arts Center’s upcoming season promises a rich tapestry of music, dance, and spoken word, with these productions at its heart, reinforcing our commitment to bringing exceptional live theatre to our community.