New Performance Traditions
For General Operating Support
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Amount$90,000
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Program
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Date Awarded3/22/2010
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Term24.0 Months
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Type of SupportGeneral Support/Organization
Strategies
Overview
The Paul Dresher Ensemble (Musical Traditions) was formed in 1984 to perform works created by artistic director Paul Dresher. The company has commissioned work by the world’s leading new music composers including John Adams and Terry Riley and in the last several years has collaborated on projects with the Bay Area’s leading arts organizations including Hewlett grantees such as the San Francisco Ballet, Margie Jenkins Dance Ensemble and the Berkeley Repertory Theater. Led by Dresher, a former Guggenheim Fellow, the company performs in different incarnations: as a music theater troupe, as the 7 piece Electro-Acoustic Band and sometimes as a soloist. In addition to sharing its Oakland studio space and audio equipment with numerous local artists the company supports the development of new work by commissioning work by young composers and presenting workshops to school groups in conjunction with productions that tour locally and nationally. Despite reductions in touring income and institutional funding due to the economy, the company’s substantial cash reserve, lean staff and prudent executive leadership positions it well to develop new work in the Bay Area, and play a leading role in developing new instruments, new sounds and new experiments in musical forms. With renewed support The Dresher Ensemble will adapt to the current economic climate by increasing individual donor giving and board development and reconfiguring the ensemble to facilitate smaller-scale touring.
About the Grantee
Grantee Website
www.newperformancetraditions.org
Address
55 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102-3916, United States
Grants to this Grantee
for general operating support
New Performance Traditions develops and presents the work of music composer Paul Dresher and other multidisciplinary contemporary performing artists. Each year, the organization typically produces and presents 50 performances to audiences of 9,000 people. The organization also provides low-cost services that promote artistic creation, including performance and rehearsal space, recording and live streaming technologies, fiscal sponsorship, and artist residencies. This grant to New Performance Traditions advances the Performing Arts Program’s Communities strategy.
for capital campaign assessment, planning, and feasibility study
New Performance Traditions, formerly known as Musical Traditions, supports diverse artists and ensembles with residencies, affordable space and equipment rentals, grants, fiscal sponsorship services, and project development support. Each year, 6 artists benefit from artists in residence program that include working space, production funding, and technical assistance from the organization. In addition, the organization supports the work of its founder, contemporary music composer Paul Dresher. Support for New Performance Traditions aligns with the Performing Arts Program’s Artists strategy. This organizational effectiveness grant will help the organization to undertake a capital campaign assessment and development process.
