Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Masterwork Arts Grants $10,000 Premier Award to Camille A. Brown & Dancers

 In a bold shift, this year’s award goes toward the development of an original work, allowing Masterwork to present more artists to larger audiences than ever while growing the canon of world-class dance pieces. CABD represents a thrilling first for this funding opportunity. 


MADISON, NEW JERSEY –  January 30, 2024


Masterwork Music and Art Foundation is proud and delighted to honor Camille A. Brown & Dancers (CABD) with their newly reimagined Premier Award. The $10,000 grant now funds the development of a new work entitled I AM. I AM will be a celebration of life, blending step and traditional African dance, slated to debut to audiences in summer 2024. In the coming years, Masterwork will bestow one $10,000 award in one of their remaining areas of focus, furthering the Foundation’s vision of bringing excellent and vital art to the world across disciplines with a belief these offerings can enrich all our lives.

 

 The photo to the left showing CABD dancers in rehearsal was taken by Maurice Lee.

 

Donations to Masterwork help maintain their commitment to ensuring 100 percent of all donations go directly to artists and arts programs. To make a gift, visit www.masterworkarts.org.


“This shift in priority strengthens the impact of the generosity of our donors. Now, our Premier Awards will help employ whole teams of artists and, In the case of CABD, be associated with a work in perpetuity,” said Executive Director, Todd Whitley.


 The photo to the right of Camille A. Brown was taken by Josefina Santos.


A most gracious Camille A. Brown said on a brief break from her work on the Broadway-bound Alicia Keys musical, Hell’s Kitchen, “I am very excited about my new dance work, I AM. When I watched the TV series Lovecraft Country, I was deeply moved by Hippolyta‘s journey, particularly in the episode called "I AM." That episode inspired my vision for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf and continues to be a strong point of reference as I create this new work. I've found that many aspects of the last few theater projects I’ve worked on are influencing this new dance work. I love this interconnectedness that comes up in the creative process. From contemporary dance to Hip Hop, I hope this work shows my continued evolution as a choreographer and dance maker.“


Masterwork has more than 60 years of history of supporting excellence in the arts. A key factor in deciding among the six finalists, all of whom demonstrate the utmost excellence in their past work and proposals for this grant, was how the new work would reflect the times in which we live. 


“Having just come out of a pandemic and with hatred, violence and unrest exploding worldwide, I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about our selection of I AM! It’s the kind of ‘joy bomb’ (or should I say, ‘joy balm’) the world really needs right now,” said Tony Javed, Board President for Masterwork Arts.


Masterwork also provides four to six Community Arts grants as well as other programs each year, funding opportunities to get involved with the arts at home while nurturing new works that spark the imaginations of today’s audiences and will stand the test of time for future audiences. 


You can make a gift toward next year’s grantees at www.masterworkarts.org.


About Masterwork Music and Art Foundation


The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation, a non-profit educational organization, promotes, presents, and supports fine and performing arts, including music, literature, theater and visual arts. The Foundation's purpose is dedicated to the advancement of cultural and educational pursuits demonstrating the high standards which have become associated with the name, "Masterwork." The Masterwork Foundation gives grants for projects in a range of media including music, visual arts, literary endeavors, and theatrical productions.

Sunday, March 19, 2023

FREE Virtual Dance Classes

 Dance with us - not only because it's good for you. Dance with us because it will make you feel good, too!

Image by artist Paul Cadmus.

About the Class

The format of the hour and a half long class offers a forty five minute warm up that pulls from a number of dance disciplines and includes some floor exercises meant to strengthen back muscles.  There’s a section on across the floor technique and a small choreography at the end. Participants are encouraged to modify exercises and may opt-out of any section they choose. 

 

These classes are open to all, though people 50+ are encouraged to join.

 

Classes are offered on Saturdays at 10:30am and Tuesdays at 6:00pm. Zoom invites are sent out early the day of each class. 


Email masterworkarts@gmail.com to receive an invite. 

 

About the Instructor

 

Todd Whitley began his dance career as an adult, accumulating live, broadcast and film performances while maintaining a career as a digital strategist for nonprofits. He has received grants for a number of community based choreography projects and has been teaching classes for the past eight years. He feels strongly about the benefits of dance, both physical and as a tool to unlock creative thinking and problem solving.

 

About Fees

 

These classes are FREE! 

 

There are no fees for class. However, participants are encouraged to support three community-based organizations that support the arts:


The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation

PO Box 1116

Madison, NJ  07940

Friends of Beattie-Powers

P.O. Box 453

Catskill, NY 12414

The Athens Cultural Center

24 Second Street

Athens, New York 12015

 

Each of these organizations is promoting this offer in-kind. 

 

As with any dance class or school, neither The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation, nor the instructor are liable for individual injuries sustained in or out of class. 

 

For more information and to be receive class invites, email masterworkarts@gmail.com 

 

#MasterworkArts

#LovetheArtist

#LovetheArts

#Dance

Call for entries -- 2023 Masterwork Arts Community Grant Opportunities

 5 Community Arts Grants Available!

 

Apply to masterworkarts@gmail.com by midnight Monday, May 1 to be considered for the 2023-2024 grant season.

 

 

Each year, The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation issues a number of community grants to organizations or individuals striving for excellence in the arts. This year, our Board has refined the criteria and expanded our offerings. For the 2023-2024 community grant season, we’ll be giving out five grants. One grant will be given at the $1,000 level. Three additional grants will be issued at the $500 level. The call is for individual aspiring artists and arts organizations located in the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are encouraged to apply. 

 

Here are more specifics on our grant criteria: 

  • We’re looking for the best proposals for arts projects that encompasses fine and performing arts - including music, dance, the visual arts, and nonprofit theatrical productions that engage the community. 
  • Volunteer involvement is an important factor. Please explain how volunteers will be engaged for your submission.
  • Individual aspiring artists and arts organizations in New Jersey and New York are encouraged to apply.
  • Works that illustrate a commitment to excellence in the arts -- either through theme or by design will receive greater consideration.
  • Note that this award is not intended to cover operating expenses or support for a fundraising initiative.
  • 2022 Community Grant Awardees should not apply. 
  • Applicants will need to email masterworkarts@gmail.com for an official form and then submit the completed form to masterworkarts@gmail.com by midnight Monday, May 1, 2023. 
  • Applicants should identify how The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will be recognized in relation to the work. 

Awardees agree to be featured in Masterwork Arts promotional materials and promote Masterwork Arts offerings.

 Awardees will be notified the week of June 19, 2023. 


How to apply:

 

Email masterworkarts@gmail.com for your application. Fill it out and email it back to masterworkarts@gmail.com  before midnight Monday, May 1, 2023. 

 

For questions about the above contact masterworkarts@gmail.com

 

About Masterwork Arts  

 

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a virtual series A Life in the Arts and virtual classes that are open to all. 

 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Remembering Artist and Board Member Tim Watkins

“As a kid I built worlds for my toys. As an adult, I build worlds for other kids.” Tim Watkins

Tim Watkins, a resident of Brooklyn and Athens, NY, longtime life and work partner of Carol May and creative force of nature, passed on December 30, 2022.

Among his many credits, he was a Board member of The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation for over forty years. We’d like to honor him with this post and a grant dedicated in his honor.

A native of England and Canada, Tim received his BFA from the Alberta College of Art & Design in 1979. Shortly thereafter he met his soulmate and life partner, Carol May, at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, an artist’s residency.

They were among a pioneer wave of artists who established studios in what was then the largely blighted burrow of Brooklyn. 



A founding partner of May + Watkins with his wife, the design and fabrication firm brought their work to a national audience. Their interactive public art installations have been featured across the country and are profiled on www.maywatkinsdesign.com

In the early 00s, Tim and Carol expanded their operations to Athens, NY, which allowed them to create larger works and to become vital members of the upstate community.  Tim was a Board member of the Athens  Cultural Center for a number of years, where he produced several gallery shows during his tenure.

For those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting Tim, his buoyant energy and zest for all things creative were sure to leave a fond impression.  While he struggled with the challenges a cancer diagnosis incurs for a number of years, he never let that get in the way of living his life fully.

Tim was a remarkable person and a dedicated colleague who all of us on the Board of the Masterwork Foundation will miss dearly.

A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date. If you’d like to be invited, email masterworkarts@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to either The Athens Cultural Center or The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation.  The Masterwork Foundation will be offering a special community arts grant in Tim’s honor.

To donate to the Athens Cultural Center:

Donate online at https://athensculturalcenter.org/
OR
Mail a check made out to the Athens Cultural Center to -
The Athens Cultural Center
24 Second Street
Athens, NY 12015

To donate to The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation:

Donate online at http://www.masterworkarts.org/
OR
Mail a check made out to The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation to -
The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation
P.O. Box 1116
Madison, NJ 07940

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Sunday, December 18, 2022

Happy Holidays from your Friends at Masterwork

 

Wishing our friends, followers and their loved ones a joyous holiday season, full of love. 
 
We've had an amazing year - handing out over $15,000 in grants, offering over 100 free classes, and sharing the stories of over 20 inspiring artists. 
 

100% of your support of Masterwork goes to supporting Art and artists directly. Please consider a year end gift to promote "excellence in the arts" with us: www.masterworkarts.org
 
Cheers to the year ahead, your good health and art that inspires!
 

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Support #MasterworkArts on #GivingTuesday

 

Today is #GivingTuesday, the annual day of giving. 

With so many nonprofits to choose from, we'd like you to consider ours - where 100% of your gift goes to supporting artists and the arts. Your gift is shared independent of administrative fees and helped us to give out more than $15,000 in awards last year in the tri-state area. 

We've been on a mission to support excellence in the arts for over 60 years. 

Consider donating to our Facebook Fundraiser to support our next generation artists!

Not able to give this year? Share a hug with the artists in your life instead. Your support makes a difference.


#MasterworkArts #LovetheArtist #LovetheArts

Monday, September 19, 2022

A Life In the Arts Fall Series Schedule


Update: October 24, 2022 


The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation is pleased to announce its latest season of A Life in the Arts, a free online series that celebrates people who have dedicated their lives to the arts.


Masterwork, which has been active for over 60 years, provides grants to artists and arts organizations. In 2021-2022, the organization provided over $15,000 in such funding. “With A Life in the Arts, Masterwork is looking to go further and give back more to the arts community,” said Executive Director, Todd Whitley. 


A Life in the Arts is an informative series aimed at viewers such as students, professional artists, arts administrators and others who may be curious about a career in the arts. Guests include professional artists across different disciplines, arts administrators, and educators. Host and interviewer Joseph White, a longtime Masterwork board member, has interviewed guests for the series such as Broadway legend Robert LuPone, the Executive Director of Works and Process at the Guggenheim Museum and alumni dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  


White noted that “viewers can tune in live online — Monday nights at 8pm EST — or stream the recording later on Masterwork’s YouTube Channel.” Masterwork’s growing library of interviews can be accessed here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDl5jNltVxw0eB1eYVAh3lQ


Whitley added “A Life in the Arts provides a personal look into the dedication required for a life in the arts. Our goal is to illuminate a path for young artists while we celebrate the resilience of career professionals.”   


The Fall season of A Life in the Arts, through November 2022:  

 

            Monday, Sept. 19th at 8pm EST, Ethan Galvin of the New Jersey Choral Society

            Monday, Sept. 26th at 8pm EST, Nicole Maniez of print studio Flemington DIY

            Monday, Nov. 7th at 8pm EST, Marina Poudret of the Ladies of Hip Hop 

            Monday, Nov. 14th at 8pm EST, Debbie Mausner and Falls Kennedy of Current Showcase 

            Monday, Nov. 21st at 8pm EST, Chanika Svetvilas and AAPI art project Anonymous was the Dat             Monday, Dec. 12th at 8pm EST, Peggy Gould, Dancer, Choreographer and Educator     

    Monday, Dec. 19th at 8pm EST, Juliet Perrell, Jules and Dee Project   


For questions or more information about A Life in the Arts or the Masterwork Foundation, please email masterworksarts@gmail.com or see www.masterworkarts.org


About Masterwork Arts  

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a virtual series A Life in the Arts and virtual classes that are open to all. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Masterwork Board News

 July 2022

Greetings!

We hope your summer is going as well as ours!

With the new fiscal year we've established a new set of Officers for The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation. 

We're pleased to share this roster:

Tony Javed, President

Mathews Phillips, Vice President

Gwyneth Mooney, Treasurer

Joseph White, Secretary

We have also added a new board member, Hadiza Dockery, and our beloved Wayne Walters has decided to rotate off the Board, but agreed to sign on as our first Advisory Board member. 

Last year was our most active and impactful year to-date, thanks in large part to our engaged Board. We're looking forward to continuing that trend in the years ahead.

Thank you to the entire Board for all you do for Masterwork!

 

Board of Trustees:

Hadiza Dockeray

Alice Glock

Joen Ferrari

Carol May

Gwyneth Mooney, Treasurer

Mathews Philips, Vice President

Mina (Lavinia) Ruby

Tim Watkins

Eileen White

Joseph White

Tony Javed, President

Eric Hafen

 

Advisory Board:

R. Wayne Walters

 

About Masterwork Arts  

 

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all.

Friday, July 8, 2022

This just in - the program for 'Colin in Concert'


 Our concert with The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation Premier Awardee, Colin Lynch, is fast approaching. We hope you can join us for a lovely afternoon at St. Peter's in Morristown!

 

Here's the concert program to entice you further!

 

Symphonie V in F Major,  Op. 42 No. 1   Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)
     1. Allegro vivace

Fantasie No. 1 in E-flat     Camille Saint-Saëns (1935-1921)

Five Short Pieces     Percy Whitlock (1903-1946)
      Allegretto
      Folk Tune
      Andante Tranquillo
      Scherzo
      Paean
     
Variations on a theme by Paganini     George Thalben-Ball (1896-1987)

Air and Toccato (sic) from Suite No. 1 for Organ    Florence Price (1899-1952)

Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain, Op. 7    Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)


For questions, please email masterworkarts@gmail.com!


About Masterwork Arts  

 

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Announcing The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation 2022 Community Arts Grant Awardees

 

July 2022

 

Our Community Grant Awards are designed to support organizations and people that encourage excellence in the arts at the community level. For the 2022-2023 community grant season, five grants were offered —  two at the $1,000 level and three at the $500 level.  Artists and arts organizations  in the tri-state area were encouraged to apply. 

 

Special thanks to Masterwork’s Program Committee - Tim Watkins, Joseph White, Eileen White, Tony Javed and Alice Glock for their work identifying award criteria and evaluating applicants. This year was a banner year in terms of our response rate - we received more than 125 inquiries and 50 applications, thanks in great part to promotions by the New York and New Jersey Councils on the Arts.

 

We’re pleased to announce the following awardees:

 


 


·      New Jersey Choral Society - Tapestry concert series finale

 

The New Jersey Choral Society will receive a $1,000 award from Masterwork.

 

New Jersey Choral Society is partnering with Pro Arte Chorale, two Ridegewood NJ arts institutions that have been in existence for over 40 years, in a special “Masterworks” concert that will include an orchestra and the Arts in Motion dance company.  This concert is planned for June of 2023.

 

For more about New Jersey Choral Society, see: https://www.njcs.org

 


·      Jules and Dee - Inspired by Shakespeare from actor/creator Juliet Perrell, directed by Edna Luise Biesold, and produced by Sarah Franco. 

 

Jules and Dee will receive a $1,000 award, in honor of Carol J. Whitesides, an attorney and lover of Shakespeare.

 

Jules and Dee is a multimedia venture in modernizing theater, incorporating D/deafness into the theatrical and the digital space, and challenging the fate of Shakespeare’s extraordinary women.  Filming is set to occur in New York’s Cherry Lane Theater. Streaming will make the series available to a broad audience online as of Fall 2022. 

 

For more about the series, including the launch date, follow along on social media @JulesAndDee on Instagram. 

 

·      Anonymous was the Data, Chanika Svetvilas  (www.chanikasvetvilas.com)

 

Masterwork is awarding $500 to Anonymous was the Data.

 

This project looks at the intersectionality of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI), mental health, and healthcare access by visualizing individual data in the form of adapted 3D printed prescription bottle sculptures that are transformed and

correspond to each survey taken. The project will launch in September 2022.

 

For more about this project and the interdisciplinary artist who created it, see: www.chanikasvetvilas.com or follow her on Instagram at chanikasvetvilas

 

 

 

·      Flemington DIY Print Club  (www.flemingtondiy.org/ )

 

The Flemington DIY Print Club will receive a $500 community grant award from Masterwork.

 

Flemington DIY Print Club is a weekly open printmaking studio with the goal of providing a platform for artists to network, build community, and work collaboratively. Local artists and community members new to the printmaking processes utilize the shared facilities hosted at Flemington DIY to learn new techniques and explore a new artform

 

For more about the Flemington DIY Print Club, see: www.flemingtondiy.org

 

 

 

·      Ladies of Hip Hop, 2022 Ladies of Hip Hop Festival (www.morrischoralsociety.org

 

The Ladies of Hip Hop will receive a $500 award.

 

The Ladies of Hip-Hop (LOHH) is a Black women-led non-profit dedicated to the empowerment of women and preservation of street and club dance forms. This year’s Ladies of Hip-Hop 2022 NYC Festival from July 13-17, 2022, we will be hosting a panel, two showcase nights, two days of dance workshops, and a dance battle featuring global women leaders and artists across street and club dance forms.

 

For more about the Ladies of Hip Hop Festival, see: https://www.ladiesofhiphop.com/



We’re grateful for all of the applications we received for our community grant award offering. Please follow Masterwork Arts on Facebook or Twitter to find out about more learning opportunities or sign up for our e-newsletter on www.masterworksarts.org

For questions or more information, email masterworksarts@gmail.com.

 

 

The Masterwork Music and Arts Foundation has been supporting excellence in the arts for over 60 years. 100 percent of your donation funds art and artists through community grants, competitive awards, and a premier award for an emerging artist. Find out more at www.masterworkarts.org.

 

   #MasterworkArts

   #CommunityArts

   #LovetheArtist

   #LovetheArts

 

Monday, June 13, 2022

Join us for 'In Concert with Colin Lynch' July 21!

 


We're pleased to announce a new date and time for the organ recital of our Premier Award winner, Colin Lynch - July 21. The concert will begin at 5 with the reception following at 6 at the historic St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ.

Join us to celebrate this milestone grant for Colin!

For additional information and ticket, see:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-event-date-for-in-concert-with-masterwork-awardee-colin-lynch-tickets-366515436537?fbclid=IwAR05gusNfbjGXfflCDTVUhH-E7OGgZfZO_Lv1goyGbN-oJ3SJieo4QTgfaI


About Masterwork Arts  

 

Masterwork Music & Art Foundation was founded more than 60 years ago in Morristown, New Jersey. The Founders, Shirley May and David Randolph, were passionate about the arts and understood the importance of nurturing developing artists, and making the arts available to a broad audience. Generations of artists were influenced by the years of concerts, theatrical events and fine arts projects Masterwork Arts funded and produced.   Today, Masterwork Arts supports excellence in the arts through a variety of grant offerings and awards, a zoom series on 'A Life in the Arts' and virtual classes that are open to all.

 

 

 

Masterwork Arts Grants $10,000 Premier Award to Camille A. Brown & Dancers

 In a bold shift, this year’s award goes toward the development of an original work, allowing Masterwork to present more artists to larger a...