An animated film that brings the medical curiosities of Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum to life; a trip along the Schuylkill River with artists and musicians in a flotilla of handmade vessels; a rare look through the archives of the dean of American craftsmen; and an opportunity to meet architects, artists, and other visionaries from around the world in conjunction with a Michelangelo Pistoletto exhibition: These and other exciting visual arts projects are the 2010 recipients of $1.1 million in grants from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative (PEI), a record annual total grant award for the program.

This year’s funded projects represent extraordinary, forward looking examples of visual arts exhibitions. Half of the ten grantees are first-time PEI grant recipients.

“The tremendous vitality of the contemporary visual arts scene in our region is evident in the variety and dynamism of the projects PEI has funded this year,” notes Center Executive Director Paula Marincola. “Such programs promise to engage and inspire a full spectrum of audiences both in this region and beyond.”

Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative grants foster artistic development and excellence in the region’s art community by supporting exhibitions and accompanying publications which are of the highest artistic caliber and engage the public through innovative means.

Please visit http://www.pcah.us/exhibitions and view the full text of this release as well as the list of organizations that have received grants, plus information about this year’s peer-review panel.

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is dedicated to stimulating a vibrant cultural community in the five-county, Southeastern Pennsylvania region. Established in 2005, the Center houses seven funding Initiatives of The Pew Charitable Trusts, and through them supports area artists and arts and heritage organizations whose work is distinguished by excellence, imagination, and courage. Each year, the Center’s grants make possible more than 800 performances in dance, music, and theatre as well as history and visual arts exhibitions, and other public programs for audiences in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by The University of the Arts, Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.pcah.us

Related posts:

1. British Museum Announces Major Exhibitions for Spring 2010
2. The Worcester Art Museum Announces February and March 2010 Schedule of Exhibitions & Events
3. Cintas Foundation Program at FIU Frost Art Museum Announces 2010 Competition for Coveted Visual Arts Fellowship