The National Performance Network is pleased to announced that Wesley V. Montgomery has accepted the position as Chief Operating Officer.  Wesley assumes his post as COO in mid-May.

Prior to joining the NPN staff, Wesley served as the Managing Director for New WORLD Theater, a program of the Fine Arts Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and an NPN Partner organization.  His experience also encompasses significant work in arts education as well, having served as the inaugural Director of Education for New York City’s New Victory Theater, a New 42nd Street project, that served as a major anchor to the economic redevelopment efforts of the city’s famed 42nd street.  He has been an active member of local and national boards, having served in the past on the NPN, Amherst A Better Chance, and the NAMES Project Foundation boards of directors.

“This new role continues to underscore my support for artist-centered systems and artistic laboratories, and my commitment to participate actively in the ongoing conversation about how the arts innately represent, reflect and envision life.  Working with NPN in this new capacity offers me opportunities that are consistent with my vision of a future in which the arts have an important role in the lives of citizens across the country,” stated Mr. Montgomery, in a recent interview about accepting his new post.

MK Wegmann, President and CEO of NPN expresses delight about Mr. Montgomery joining the leadership of NPN as COO, succeeding June Wilson who has joined the staff of the Quixote Foundation in Seattle, WA.  “It’s great news that Wesley will be working with us in the national office, especially since he comes from within the ranks of NPN Partners.  His past leadership at New WORLD Theater and on the NPN board of directors has given him deep insight into our mission.  I look forward to working with Wesley in NPN’s home community and in our national and international programs.  He represents a new generation of arts leadership that holds great promise for the future.”
 

Check out the NPN @ NPAC minisite for everything you need to keep you informed and up-to-date about the National Performing Arts Convention (NPAC). Find answers to all your questions about hotel, travel, subsidies, reimbursements, and roommates.

Click here to visit the minisite: www.npnweb.org/site/npac2008/

Congratulations to all award recipients! The NPN staff is grateful to all panelists for dedicating their time, diverse voices and insightful comments to the decision-making process.  If you have any questions, contact Alec De León, Program Assistant for Subsidy Programs.

The Creation Fund program is a unique program which leverages resources for artists towards the creation of a new work and ensures a minimum of a two-site tour.

The Community Fund program subsidizes activities that expand upon an NPN Performance Residency or Creation Fund by deepening relationships among NPN Partners, artists, and communities.  The Community Fund allows NPN Partners take risks, implement new programs, forge new relationships and/or diversify their connections.

The Mentorship and Leadership Initiative strengthens NPN Partner organizations and the performing arts field by supporting the personal development of NPN Partner staff as future arts leaders.

A partnership of the Network of Cultural Centers of Color and the National Performance Network, the Artist-of-Color Performance Residency Program is intended to expand the pool of artists of color who are presented in the United States and enable artists to reach out to new communities through performance residencies. 
 

We are honored to announce that NPN has received a very generous grant from Altria Corporate Services, Inc. to support the participation of NPN touring artists at the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, June 2008.  Artist scholarships will ensure a broader and more diverse representation of the national performing arts community, including the presence of independent artists in significant numbers.

At Altria, supporting the arts is thought to be an important investment in the cultural and economic vitality of communities.  Altria’s focus is to enrich the cultural landscape by supporting organizations and programs that foster innovation, diversity, and artistic excellence.

We are very grateful to Altria for this substantial award which will benefit so many NPN touring artists.

To learn more about NPAC go to www.performingartsconvention.org

To learn more about NPN’s funders go to "Our Supporters" page.