The American Rescue Plan Grant will go toward supporting the LA Opera Chorus in the season's remaining productions
Los Angeles, CA (January 28, 2022) – The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a $150,000 American Rescue Plan Grant to LA Opera, which will partially support the performances of the LA Opera Chorus in the final two mainstage productions of the 2021/22 season: St. Matthew Passion and Aida, two works with especially demanding choral requirements.
"This generous grant will have a significant impact on LA Opera's financial well-being during a particularly challenging time, and we are incredibly grateful for the NEA's recognition of and support for our artistic mission," said Christopher Koelsch, the company's Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and CEO. "I would also like to express my thanks to our elected representatives for their support of the NEA and for the value that they place on the impact of the arts in the cultural, civic and economic lives of our communities."
The grant is one of numerous awards totaling $57,750,000 to 567 arts organizations to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic. The recipient organizations may use this funding to save jobs, and to fund operations and facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts to encourage attendance and participation. For this year's grants, the NEA received more than 7,500 eligible applications requesting $695 million.
About LA OperaLos Angeles is a city of enormous diversity and creativity, and LA Opera is dedicated to reflecting that vibrancy by redefining what opera can be. Through imaginative new productions, world premiere commissions, and inventive productions that preserve foundational works while making them feel fresh and compelling, LA Opera has become one of America’s most exciting and ambitious opera companies.
About the LA Opera ChorusThe LA Opera Chorus, under the guidance of Chorus Director Grant Gershon, plays an integral role in the artistic excellence of the company. Composed of up to 80 singers, the chorus maintains a core group of 42 with additions as needed depending on the requirements of each opera. These dedicated artists are part of the very essence of LA Opera. In fact, several current singers have performed with the LA Opera Chorus since the company's 1986 inaugural production of Otello.
LA Opera Media Contact Luz VillarrealDirector of Communications lvillarreal@laopera.org 213.972.7554
LA Opera is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles community.
