MCC’s Artist Fellowships recognize the unique contribution made by artists to the cultural vitality of the Commonwealth. The grants provide direct assistance to Massachusetts artists to recognize excellence and creative ability, and to support further development of their talents.

A recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) found that Massachusetts has the third highest number of artists per capita in the nation, trailing only New York and California. “The NEA study reaffirms the vital importance of artists to Massachusetts,” says MCC Executive Director Anita Walker. "These fellowships are one way for the public to celebrate and support the individual artist, the backbone of our state’s creative economy.”

The artists recognized this year represent a diverse range of styles and media. They include:

• Painting Fellowships were awarded to artists including Joel Janowitz , recently featured in group exhibitions at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park and Regis College, and David Moore, who was featured in an acclaimed solo show at Boston’s Kidder Smith Gallery in 2006.
• Choreography Fellows have performed across the globe, in locations as diverse as Denmark, Ecuador, Venezuela and Germany. Tommy Neblett and Diane Arvanites-Noya formed Prometheus Dance, as well as Elders Ensemble, a company of post-professional dancers ages 60-85. Sue Murad of UV Protection is inspired by location, leading her to perform in a variety of public and private spaces.
• In Traditional Arts, Franco-American fiddler Donna Hébert is the co-founder of two Franco music groups, Chanterelle and the Beaudoin Legacy. Teacher, performer and choreographer Kieran Jordan marries Irish traditions with Cape Breton step dance.
• Fiction/Creative Nonfiction Fellows include Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America; Xujun Eberlein, author of the just-released short story collection Apologies Forthcoming; and Joan Wickersham, whose memoir The Suicide Index will be published in August.
• Drawing Fellows include Fred H.C. Liang, who creates large-scale silkscreens and whose work has shown in Australia and South Korea, and Sandra Allen, who has been featured in recent exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the DeCordova.
• Poetry Fellow Patrick Donnelly’s acclaimed collection The Charge focuses on a poet’s life in the age of AIDS; Elizabeth Hughey’s collection Sunday Houses the Sunday House finds significance in the objects of our daily lives.

A full list of the selected artists, along with digital images, writing samples, and video clips of their work, is available online at the Gallery@MCC at www.massculturalcouncil.org/gallery.asp.

The MCC Artist Fellowship Program awards grants in specific artistic disciplines on a biennial cycle. Applications are accepted from any artist who lives and works in Massachusetts. Next year, MCC will accept applications in crafts, film/video, music composition, photography, playwriting/new theatre works and sculpture/installation. Like all MCC grants, artist awards are based on recommendations by independent panels of experts who practice in the disciplines they review.

Past and present honorees will be showcased in several exhibitions this fall and spring.

About the Massachusetts Cultural Council
The Massachusetts Cultural Council promotes excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

MCC is a state agency committed to building a central place for arts and culture in the everyday lives of communities across the Commonwealth. It pursues this mission through a combination of grants, services, and advocacy for cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. MCC receives an annual appropriation from the state Legislature and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources.