South Miami, FL— Area Stage is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000.
This grant will support Area Stage’s Inclusion Theatre Project, a one-of-a-kind performing arts program for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The NEA will award 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants.
“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including what the Inclusion Theatre Project has in store for its upcoming season.”
Founded in 2014 by Maria Banda-Rodaz, Area Stage’s Inclusion Theatre Project (ITP) is a one-of-a-kind program for aspiring theatre professionals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Led by Irma Becker, ITP serves ~175 participants a year, offering performing arts classes taught by specialized instructors onsite and at local partner schools, presenting a total of two musical productions and twelve outreach performances that reach about 10,000 people per year. As part of the program, Area Stage is also very proud to host the United States' first Royal Academy of Dance ballet curriculum for neurodiverse dancers. ITP provides a platform for neurodiverse artists to develop their talents and share them with the community. These inspiring performances prove just how much individuals with disabilities are capable of, embodying the vision of a more inclusive society where such individuals are seamlessly integrated into the fabric of everyday life.
“We are deeply honored to receive this outstanding grant, which empowers us to continue making a meaningful difference through the work we do every day at Area Stage,” says Maria Banda-Rodaz, Executive Director of Area Stage. “Our heartfelt thanks to the NEA for recognizing and supporting our mission to enrich and uplift our community.”
For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.
PRESS CONTACT: Jennifer Gomez, jennifer@areastage.org
