Cucalorus Film Foundation to receive $20,000 grant

WILMINGTON, NC (News Release) — For the fifth year in a row, Cucalorus Film Foundation is proud to announce their receipt of an Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The $20,000 grant will support the 24th annual Cucalorus Festival, happening November 7-11, 2018 in downtown Wilmington, NC with its three main programs: Film, Stage and Connect.

Cucalorus connects visionary leaders in film, performance and technology and supports the creation of new work, the development of new ideas, and the establishment of new partnerships through festivals, residencies, funding and education.

Cucalorus explores innovation and creativity wherever it shows up in our world and supports the development of creative leaders who shape economic and cultural trends at both the local and global level.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $25 million in grants as part of the NEA’s first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018.

The Art Works category is the NEA’s largest funding category and supports projects that focus on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts.

Cucalorus is one of two organizations in Wilmington, NC to receive funding through this grant.

“These NEA-supported projects, such as this one to Cucalorus, are good examples of how the arts build stronger and more vibrant communities, improve well-being, prepare our children to succeed, and increase the quality of our lives,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu.

“NEA funding allows Cucalorus to support bold new artists from all over the world, to connect them with North Carolina audiences, and to showcase the City of Wilmington as a world class cultural destination,” says Cucalorus Executive Director Dan Brawley. “We’re proud that our organization continues to receive support from the most important arts funder in the country.”

At Cucalorus 23 last November, 203 separate events during the 5-day festival brought an accumulated attendance of 19,069 to Wilmington.

For more information about Cucalorus, visit cucalorus.org. For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.