CounterPulse

The Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions initiative marked the foundation’s 50the anniversary by supporting the creation and premiere of 50 exceptional works of performing arts. This grant provides supplemental support for CounterPulse to develop and present the Indian folk opera “Princess Nautanki” in partnership with lead artist Devendra Sharma and the fiscally sponsored project, Devendra Sharma’s Nautanki Folk Opera Ensemble.

CounterPulse supports emerging artists and cultural innovators engaged in the creation of cutting-edge and contemporary performance artists. The organization commissions and produces new work, provides fiscal sponsorship services, and subsidizes rehearsal and performance space for a community of 1,000 artists that largely identify as part of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabled communities. In a typical year, CounterPulse performances and classes engage more than 15,000 audience and community members at its 10,000-square-foot facility in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. This grant advances the Performing Arts Program’s Communities strategy.