CHALLENGE AMERICA INTRODUCED.The National Endowment A transfer, generally as a gift, of money or property to an institution for a particular purpose. The bestowal of money as a permanent fund, the income of which is to be used for the benefit of a charity, college, or other institution. for the Arts' (NEA NEA abbr. 1. National Education Association 2. National Endowment for the Arts NEA (US) n abbr (= National Education Association) → Verband für das Erziehungswesen ) Chairman Bill lvey announced Challenge America America [for Amerigo Vespucci], the lands of the Western Hemisphere—North America, Central (or Middle) America, and South America. The world map published in 1507 by Martin Waldseemüller is the first known cartographic use of the name. : Positive Alternates for Youth, a new program that awarded $1,735,000 as 196 grants. Challenge America encompasses all 50 states as well as the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). and focuses on artist residencies An artist residency is a program where artists are given space to live or work for some time at reduced or no cost. Residency programs often give access to tools, and offer the chance to meet and work with notable artists, curators, writers, and theorists. in schools and civic/community organizations that provide youths with a safe environment to explore their artistic abilities. Congress appropriated $7 million in Fiscal Year 2001 for Challenge America, and the response- 536 applications from organizations spanning the country requesting over $4.7 million-has proven significant. Funded projects primarily serve young people in grades six through 12 from areas ranging from rural towns lacking in job opportunities and an art community to low-income urban neighborhoods. Some of the youth are physically or emotionally challenged, some have been involved with the juvenile justice system, some are struggling with academic and social demands. Partnerships are a key element of Challenge America projects. Community faculties including school districts, youth service organizations and health care organizations, are partnering with various media, music, literature, folk and traditional arts, dance, opera and theater organizations. Challenge America has three ways its funds are distributed-Fiscal Year 2001 saw approximately 400 small project grants awarded around the country through its Fast Track grants. These grants support art education programming and community arts development and all must be matched dollar-for-dollar from non-federal sources. There are two categories within the Fast Track grants--Community Arts Development, which brings funds to underserved areas with a focus on cultural tourism and districts, civic design, cultural planning and new technology for promotion and marketing of the arts; and Positive Alternatives for Youth, which focuses on various projects including after-school artist-led programs, job training related to the arts, along with artist-teacher collaborations during school hours. Along with the Fast Track Grants, 40 percent of Challenge America funds have been distributed to State and Regional Art Agency Partnerships and through Challenge America leadership initiatives. These initiatives partner NEA with national organizations and federal agencies for the further support of projects that adhere to adhere to verb 1. follow, keep, maintain, respect, observe, be true, fulfil, obey, heed, keep to, abide by, be loyal, mind, be constant, be faithful 2. Challenge America's goals-the first being Creative Communities-a collaboration Working together on a project. See collaborative software. of NEA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Guild guild Association of craftsmen or merchants formed for mutual aid and for the advancement of their professional interests. Guilds flourished in Europe between the 11th and 16th century and were of two types: merchant guilds, including all the merchants of a particular town of Community Schools of the Arts. The NEA is contributing $500,000 to this $4 million project providing arts instruction to youth living in public housing throughout the U.S. For more information on Challenge America or for the list of awarded grants visit www.arts.gov. |
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