Milwaukee – For the first time in five years, The Milwaukee Ballet has received grant support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).  The $10,000 Access to Artistic Excellence Grant will support the creation of the world premiere work by choreographer Lila York to be presented in February 2006 on a double bill with “Scheherazade”.

"I am thrilled to know that the Ballet has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts,” said Michael Pink, artistic director for the Milwaukee Ballet.  “It is with support from foundations like this that give us the opportunity to work with exceptional choreographers like Lila York.”

The Milwaukee Ballet was one of 844 nonprofit national, regional and state agencies to receive grants totaling $20.4 million. These grants support the creation and presentation of work in the discipline of dance as well as numerous other artistic programs.

The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts – both new and established – bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

Founded in 1970, the Milwaukee Ballet Company strives to inspire its audiences to think within and beyond traditional ballet through the presentation of quality performances and the implementation of educational opportunities.  With an annual operating budget of $5 million, the Milwaukee Ballet Company presents more than 40 performances to over 70,000 people each year.  For more information about the Milwaukee Ballet, call (414) 902-2103.  Information about the Milwaukee Ballet’s 2005-2006 season is available online at www.milwaukeeballet.org.