Made possible by generous support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The MPO Initiative makes funds and customized technical assistance available to the 17 organizations, including four jazz presenters. The MPO Initiative is designed to support organizations with excellent artistic track records meet long-term goals and maintain financial health, and sustain or increase opportunities for artists to create and perform their work by providing each group with grants of $360,000 - $500,000 over four years. The participants have access to a broad range of technical assistance provided through NFF and attend periodic convenings.
The selection process was highly competitive, with the national peer review panel recommending 25 finalists to NFF. The 17 participating organizations were recommended by the national peer review panel to NFF from this group. Organizations selected to participate in the MPO Initiative are:
Harlem Stage/Aaron Davis Hall, New York, NY
Bang on a Can, Brooklyn, NY
Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
Danspace Project, New York, NY
DiverseWorks, Houston, TX
Kuumbwa Jazz Society, Santa Cruz, CA
La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Pittsburgh, PA
Miami Light Project, Miami, FL
Myrna Loy Center, Helena, MT
National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta,GA
New World Theater, Amherst, MA
On the Boards, Seattle, WA
Outpost Productions, Albuquerque, NM
Philadelphia Live Arts Festival/Philly Fringe, Philadelphia, PA
