delaware division of the arts

Andy Truscott speaks with Neil Kirschling, the new Executive Director of the Delaware Arts Alliance.

Neil joins DAA from Rodel, a nonprofit that partners with Delawareans to transform public education in the First State. His responsibilities included strategic planning, policy development, coalition management, program management, and local and national stakeholder engagement. Neil previously served as a legislative fellow in the General Assembly, conducted research for the Institute for Public Administration, and participated in the Delaware Department of Education’s “Future Education Policy Leaders” program. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

A patron and participant in the arts, Neil volunteers and performs with various local theaters, and supports arts and cultural organizations throughout the state. Neil received a gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Hispanic Commission, where he leads education and advocacy efforts in support of Hispanic youth and English learner students. He also serves as an advisor for the Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy board.

Following the national fiscal crisis of 2008, artists, art professionals and civic leaders across Delaware grew concerned about the future of the arts sector. They formed a 16-member coalition with the goal to raise awareness of the importance of the arts for economic and community development. It was clear that Delaware needed a strong, unified voice speaking on behalf of arts and culture, and none existed at the time. The coalition brought together an initial group of 33 Delaware arts organizations to form the Delaware Arts Alliance in 2009. Since then, the alliance has nearly doubled in size and is a strong force in advocating for the arts at the state and national levels.

To learn more about the Delaware Arts Alliance, visit https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/

To become a member organization, visit https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/membership/

To sign up for DAA’s mailing list, visit https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/contact/

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Doug Poore, the curator of the Greater Harrington Historical Society. In cooperation with Delaware Humanities and the Smithsonian Institutes Museums on Main Street program, the Historical Society will be hosting the traveling exhibit “CROSSROADS: CHANGE IN RURAL AMERICA”. The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Delaware Humanities. The exhibit is open through January 28, 2023.

Crossroads: Change in Rural America offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. The exhibition will prompt discussions about what happened when America’s rural population became a minority of the country’s population and the ripple effects that occurred.

Founded in May 1977, the Greater Harrington Historical Society is one of the oldest in Delaware. From our humble beginnings in an office, we have grown to now include 3 museum locations and we house over 50,000 artifacts, some dating back to the early 1700’s. To learn more about the Greater Harrington Historical Society, visit their website at www.ghhsociety.org/.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Rebecca Lowe and David White from the Lewes Public Library about the Spoken Word Society.

The Lewes Spoken Word Society (LSWS) celebrates the tradition and artistry of oral storytelling through lectures, performances, discussions, demonstrations, and other publicly-shared experiences.

The library also has a number of services at the disposal of their nearby patrons, including health advocates, meeting rooms, technology, book clubs and more.

To learn more about the Spoken Word Society, visit https://lewes.lib.de.us/2021/07/08/spoken-word-society-fall2022/.

To learn more about other adult friendly activities, visit https://lewes.lib.de.us/adults/.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Helen Chamberlin, the new Executive Director of the Rehoboth Beach Film Society.

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, arts organization with a very interesting history of how a small coastal Delaware, resort area could produce a major Film Festival and then grow into an organization that sponsors a broad slate of wonderful film programs for a growing community.

The Film Society offers weekly screenings of widely distributed films but also has a wide variety of other programs for those interested in more topical events.  Examples of this include the Pride Film Festival, London’s National Theatre Live, an African American Film Festival, the Jewish Film Festival, and The Met: LIVE in HD.

To learn more about the Rehoboth Beach Film Society, visit https://www.rehobothfilm.com/.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott interviews Pam Manocchio, the newly appointed Executive Director of The Grand Opera House and The Playhouse on Rodney Square about the upcoming events this summer and beyond at Wilmington’s historic theatre complex.

To take a look at upcoming events at The Grand or The Playhouse on Rodney Square, visit www.TheGrandWilmington.org.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Maia Palmer, a 2022 Individual Artist Fellow and the current artist exhibiting in the Mezzanine Gallery at the Carvel State of Building.

Maia Palmer was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1980. She works primarily in acrylics and charcoal, and has also created community murals, digital works and figurative sculptures. Palmer earned a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA from Washington University in St. Louis. She has exhibited nationally as well as internationally in Spain, Germany, and China. Palmer has lived all around the globe, and is interested in capturing the unique spirit of each location that she experiences.

As a portrait artist, Palmer continues to use art to initiate communication – “my subject becomes my partner in conversation.”  Much of her work has been portraiture of others, including a pandemic quarantine series of coloring-book portraits made “to create community from a safe distance.” But her Fellowship drawings feature Palmer as “my own subject, exploring how my identity has been altered by living with chronic migraine.” This work gifted the artist with a new type of community: “It has been affirming to have positive feedback from others who have reached out to me as fellow sufferers.”

Her exhibit Making the Invisible, Visible, is currently on display at the Mezzanine Gallery at the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington, DE until Friday, November 25. To learn more about it watch this brief video about her work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLbj7UKa4Lw

To learn more about Maia, to see her work, or to see when her next exhibits are, visit https://www.maiapalmer.com/.

In 2022, Palmer is also participating in the INTO LIGHT PROJECT, a national non-profit organization is dedicated to changing the conversation about drug addiction. By creating public exhibitions of original portraits and individual stories of people who have died from the disease of drug addiction in locations around the country, we provide communities with an opportunity to talk about the issue of stigma, the primary obstacle to getting support and treatment for those with SUD and their families. INTO LIGHT PROJECT is art activism in the purest sense. To learn more, or to submit your loved one to be featured visit, https://intolightproject.org/submit-application-delaware/

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Courtney Clarke, the Owner of Drama Kids Wilmington. Drama Kids of Wilmington and Delco is a drama education program that focuses on public speaking and self-confidence. They use drama education as a tool to enhance self-awareness and group respect and work out different emotions and scenarios through acting. To learn more about Drama Kids Delaware visit https://dramakids.com/wilmington-de/.

Drama Kids provides imaginative learning experiences that also include occasional fun class performances to enhance the experience, highly qualified and specially trained teachers, new creative lessons in each class, proven to both fun and highly developmental for programs in community centers, schools and other convenient locations.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Carol Dennis (Executive Director) and Richard Scalenghe (Board President) of Coastal Concerts.

In 1999 a few classical music enthusiasts decided it was time to bring world-renowned classical performers to their new hometown of Lewes, Delaware instead of traveling back to Philadelphia, Washington DC, or New York.  They were not alone in longing to hear live concerts by internationally acclaimed artists in an intimate setting close to home.

For 24 years this volunteer-led organization has thrived! Each season they present six live performances at Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes, Delaware and draw audience members from the entire Mid-Atlantic region. In addition, CoCo encourages classical music appreciation through community outreach, educational activities and awarding scholarships to deserving young musicians.

To learn more about Coastal Concerts, visit www.coastalconcerts.org.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott interviews Leslie Shaffer, the Executive Director of The Delaware Contemporary, located on Wilmington’s Riverfront.

The Delaware Contemporary is an art space that infuses contemporary art and creativity into our community through compelling exhibitions, dynamic educational experiences, and access to the artistic process.

Founded in 1979 by artists, The Delaware Contemporary presents exhibitions of regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists that explore topical issues in contemporary art and society. In addition, we provide opportunities for local and emerging artists to showcase their work and advance their artistic growth. Art sales through our galleries and Museum Shop support area and exhibiting artists and our commitment to the importance of contemporary art in our community.

To join the artist registry discussed within, visit: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=9178

To apply to have an artist studio on site, visit: https://www.decontemporary.org/studio-artist-application

To learn more about The Delaware Contemporary visit: https://www.decontemporary.org/.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott interviews Kerriann Otaño, Vice President of Engagement at OperaDelaware in Wilmington, Delaware. OperaDelaware is a professional non-profit opera company with a reputation for excellence in both opera and arts education. OperaDelaware opens the door to bold, vibrant and creative operatic programming that enriches the community, transforms audiences, and encourages dialogue.

Kerriann Otaño joined OperaDelaware in the newly-established position of Vice President of Engagement in July 2022. After an extensive career as a spinto soprano in leading opera houses including Washington National Opera, Opera San Jose, Wolf Trap Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera, Kerriann began transitioning into artistic administration in 2019 with a focus on artist advocacy, IDEA initiatives, and mental healthcare for singers. She was the artistic administrator for Opera NEO at the onset of the pandemic before leading the marketing and public relations department at Opera Memphis for two years. Kerriann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University and a Master’s degree from Mannes the New School for Music. In addition to her extensive knowledge of operatic repertoire and her enthusiasm for reaching new audiences, Ms. Otaño brings an artist-centered approach to her work, focusing on cultivating long-term relationships through deeply-rooted community collaboration, innovation, and robust artist-led initiatives. Kerriann resides in Wilmington with her husband, tenor Dane Suarez, and their sweet pups, Frankie and Chalupa.

To learn more about OperaDelaware and their upcoming season, visit https://www.operade.org/

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott interviews Joan Beatson, Director of Advancement, and Taylor Ciampi, company dancer, with First State Ballet Theatre. First State Ballet Theatre—Delaware’s professional ballet company—has written an unparalleled chapter of artistic, educational and financial achievement in Delaware dance history and is the only major Delaware performing arts company to have presented a statewide season with regular performances in theaters and schools in all three counties from Wilmington to the Beach. To learn more about their upcoming 2022-2023 season, the National Ballet Competition, or public classes for youth, teens, and adults, visit https://www.firststateballet.org/

To learn more about their 2022-2023 season visit: https://www.firststateballet.org/2022-2023-season

To learn more about their dance classes visit: https://www.firststateballet.org/the-school

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott interviews Leah Beach, Founder and Executive Director of the Developing Artist Collaboration (the DAC) located in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Their Artist Development Programming provides Artist Members of DAC with access to resources, development based programming, studio space and a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Whether it’s a simply a space to work and collaborate or taking part in our Creative Career Support Program, their Artists are able to take control of their growth as an Artist.

The DAC has three guiding principles:

• No Free Art – One of our core values is not capitalizing off of Artists. We won’t ask them to donate free art, work programming for free, or even pay a membership due. Our entrepreneurial model allows us to cover our costs so we don’t need to rely on Artist’s to support us financially.
• Artists Come First – Every single decision we make we always ask ourselves, “does the Artist come first?” We’ve learned a lot of lessons about how society wants to take advantage of Artists and we are here to fight the good fight. We are here to advocate for our Artist Members.
• We Will Always Be Fair – We always promise to charge Artists fair & honest costs. We strive to keep vendor fees, professional development, resources, space, and opportunity at the fairest possible cost so that you can focus on what matters…your career.

To learn more about the Developing Artist Collaboration visit https://developingarts.org/

To learn more about Out of the Box DIY visit https://www.outoftheboxdiy.com/

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott interviews Kiara Florez, a 2022 Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellow in the field of Visual Arts.

A recent graduate of Delaware State University with a B.A. in studio art, Florez has already been seen in several exhibitions, was the Delaware winner of the 2017 Doodle4Google competition, and has had her work on view at the U.S. Capitol. Her imaginative paintings magically merge the figurative and the abstract, always informed by “nature, music, all forms of art, and dreams.”

The collection that garnered her the Division’s Fellowship is a series of acrylic paintings on canvas, colorful narratives that “explore spiritual thinking and imaginative worlds, using bold colors and wavy lines.” Both figural and abstract, her works are populated with exaggerated shapes in a vibrant color palette, a “loose interpretation of the human figure and nature” that carry Florez’ personal, spiritual messages.

To learn more about Kiara, to see her works, and see upcoming shows, visit: https://www.kianflo.com/

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Dr. Kirsten Kunkle and Dr. Marisa Robinson, the co-founders of Wilmington Concert Opera.

Wilmington Concert Opera, an exclusively woman and minority run company, was founded on principles of diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility. Wilmington Concert Opera strives to serve the greater Wilmington, Delaware community by prioritizing the hiring of local musicians to provide high-level performance opportunities.  The free performances in West Center City, adjacent to the economically-disadvantaged Arts District, provide opportunities for the community to experience a family-friendly version of a traditionally expensive art form.

To learn more about their upcoming events, including GIRONDINES from October 21-23, 2022, visit https://www.wilmingtonconcertopera.com/.

To view their Virtual Recital Series visit https://www.wilmingtonconcertopera.com/virtual-recitals.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Dr. JoAnn Balingit and Dr. Traci Currie, the teaching artists and coaches of this year’s Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest in Delaware.

Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country. POL uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals in Washington, DC. More than 100,000 students are expected to take part in POL nationwide each year.

To learn more about how to participate visit: https://arts.delaware.gov/poetry-out-loud/

You can watch 2022’s virtual state finals by clicking here.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Greg Hammond, an author from Wilmington, Delaware – and one of the Delaware Division of the Arts’ 2022 Emerging Individual Artist Fellows in the field of fiction literature.

Gregory Hammond wanted to be a writer “from the get-go.” In elementary school, he wrote “book reports in the form of plays and presented them for the oral reports.” Later, inspired by the Civil Rights movement and its emerging Black writers and poets, he began to read and write poetry as well as write novels. “Where most kids wanted to grow up and be a baseball player or a star athlete, I knew I wanted to have an impact on my community as a writer/lawyer.”

His most recent novel, Blue Money, is inspired partly by real experiences of his in the Congo.  This episode contains a reading from this new novel.

If you’d like to attend a free, public reading of Blue Money, you can join Greg at the Brandywine Public Library on October 22 from 1-3pm.

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Bud Martin, the departing Artistic Director of Delaware Theatre Company, as he prepares to retire after leading the organization for 10 years.

While serving at DTC, Martin tripled the revenue and doubled the subscriptions. He oversaw 10 seasons, directing productions such as, Outside Mullingar, HONK!, Saint Joan, Sanctions, Dare to Be Black, Hetty Feather, White Guy on the Bus, The War of the Roses, The Explorers Club, Putting It Together (with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra), Love Letters, Rest, in Pieces, The Story of My Life, Lend Me a Tenor, and many more.

Before Martin departs, he’ll be directing DTC’s One Man, Two Guvnors, running February 1-19.  Set in 1963 England and delightfully underscored by a live band, ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS is a Tony award-winning comedy that transforms Italian classic Servant of Two Masters into a fast-paced, side-splitting, door-slamming farce. Down on his luck and permanently hungry, Francis finds himself employed by two separate bosses at a party that goes horribly (and hilariously) awry.

To learn more about Delaware Theatre Company, visit https://www.delawaretheatre.org/

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott interviews Dr. Traci Currie, the Program Director for the CityFest ArtsWork Youth Apprenticeship Program at the Urban Artist Exchange in Wilmington, Delaware.

Cityfest Arts Work began its inaugural 6-week summer program in June 2020 with 12 youth apprentices, 4 teaching artists, 1 volunteer community member, a yoga instructor and the program director – Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. This apprenticeship program is a paid internship opportunity that teaches youth artistic, personal, and entrepreneurial skills in the context of creating salable artwork.

Arts Work focuses on youth who have been identified as ‘at risk’ or are from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged communities. One of the goals is to offer creative ways to address personal problems that other interventional means have failed to do. Research has shown that the arts can address and help problem-solve social and personal issues that people deal with in their everyday lives. During this year round multi-discipline arts program, apprentices are encouraged to openly express themselves through their art-making while immersed in an affirming and nurturing environment. They are actively engaged in on-site classes and workshops; off-site excursions to museums; live performances; and other creative outdoor adventures.

To learn more about this program, or the Urban Artist Exchange, visit http://cityfestwilm.com/urban-artist-exchange or email UAE@wilmingtonde.gov

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Gerri Weagraff, a Delaware based actress who is currently touring with Anastasia: The Musical – set to stop at The Playhouse on Rodney Square in Wilmington, Delaware.

Gerri has also been seen on the national tours of Fiddler on the Roof (Golde). Regionally, she’s performed at the Arizona Broadway Theatre, Surflight Theatre, Beef & Boards, Fireside, Candlelight Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include: Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Show Boat (Parthy Hawks), The Spitfire Grill (Hannah), Bright Star (Mama Murphy), Lend Me a Tenor (Julia). Gerri’s family has been embedded in the arts for decades, most notable was that her husband, Paul, was the Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts up until 2021.

Inspired by the beloved films, ANASTASIA transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. With its opulent settings, dazzling costumes, and a soaring score including the song favorites from the hit animated film, “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December,” ANASTASIA is the spectacular new musical about discovering who you are and defining who you’re meant to be.

To learn more, or to purchase tickets for Anastasia at The Playhouse on Rodney Square visit: https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/productions/7220-anastasia/

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.

Andy Truscott speaks with Kate Ransom, the President and CEO of The Music School of Delaware and the Artistic Director of the Serafin Ensemble.

The Serafin Ensemble pays and plays tribute to 17th century composer Georg Frideric Handel nin this three-day festival. Featured Performers: Luigi Mazzocchi and Kate Ransom, violin; Amadi Azikiwe, viola; Jacques-Pierre Malan, cello; Eileen Grycky, flute; John Dee, oboe; Augustine Mercante, countertenor; Gabriel Benton, harpsichord, choir director; David Simmons, choir director; and the choirs of Grace United Methodist Church and Trinity Episcopal Parish. Hosted from February 23-25 at Grace United Methodist Church, the three-day collaborative event will culminate with a sing-along of the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah.

To learn more, or to buy tickets, visit https://www.musicschoolofdelaware.org/halleluja-handel

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.

Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.