Director of Performing Arts Marc Bamuthi Joseph Awarded Doris ...

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Maureen Dixon415.321.1307mdixon@ybca.orgpress images: www.ybca.org/pressYerba Buena Center for the Arts’ Director of Performing ArtsMarc Bamuthi JosephAwarded Doris Duke Charitable Foundation AwardMarc Bamuthi JosephMore Than $5.5 Million to the First Class of Doris Duke Artists21 Outstanding Performing Artists Are the First Participants in an UnprecedentedNationwide Initiative to Expand Artistic and Personal Freedom for CreativeLeaders in the Fields of Jazz, Contemporary Dance and TheaterSAN FRANCISCO (April 20, 2012) – Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is thrilled to announcethat Marc Bamuthi Joseph, director of performing arts, has just been selected by the DorisDuke Charitable Foundation as one of America’s most vital and productive artists incontemporary dance, jazz, theater and multidisciplinary work. Twenty-one recipients werechosen, including Joseph, as the first class of Doris Duke Artists, sharing a total of $5.775million awarded in an unprecedented new initiative of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation(DDCF).―This is such an honor for Marc, and the board and staff of YBCA join me in congratulating ourcolleague for this extraordinary achievement. When Marc and I discussed his potentially joining

the YBCA team, he spoke explicitly about the very ideas that have earned him this award, andhis desire to locate his passion for artistic growth and community engagement at YBCA. We areexcited to be able to both support his talents and fully integrate his expansive vision into ourlarger purpose of revolutionizing how the world engages with contemporary art and ideas. Wecould not be happier for him, and for us.‖Each member of the first class will receive an unrestricted, multi-year cash grant of $225,000,plus as much as $50,000 more in targeted support for retirement savings and audiencedevelopment. DDCF is granting these awards as part of a $50 million, ten-year commitmentover and above its existing funding for the performing arts. Provided to honorees through arigorous, anonymous process of peer review─no applications are accepted─the grants are nottied to any specific project, but are made as investments in the artists’ personal and professionaldevelopment and future work.―The last 10 days have felt like one long incredible dream and today's public announcement ofthe inaugural class of Doris Duke Artist Awards has lovingly brought my friends, family, andcollaborators into the unfolding fantasy,‖ said Marc Bamuthi Joseph. ―I recognize this momentas both an honor and an admonition to keep working towards increasingly fertile environmentsfor the arts to thrive. To that end, I receive this honor in the hope that its visibility will bringadded weight to the re-framing of arts practice in the United States. I don't doubt that among thegalaxy of exceptional artists in America, there are uncountable dancers, musicians and theatermakers that are equally as deserving of this award. I advocate for community engagement andcuratorial practice that is in fact performative and internalized, a politic of belief that manifestsitself as intentional community design. In this moment, and hopefully for many years to come,Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the design of its performing arts agenda is the site of myarts practice. It is and will be the site of our team's creative risk and re-framing, and I amhumbled to represent this institution and to serve as an ambassador for its incredible globalvision and local import.‖The twenty other awardees are:• Anne Bogart, theatre (New York, NY)• Don Byron, jazz (New York, NY)• Wally Cardona, dance (Brooklyn, NY)

Innovations in art, action, audience. These ideas, which encompass art from all disciplines, aredesigned to focus an investigation of contemporary art and its relationship to the larger world.Using the Big Ideas as portals,YBCA has established a framework of thought that invites exploration and risk-taking, quietreflection and active engagement.Performing arts, visual arts and film/video programs are curated thematically around Big Ideaswhich illustrate the connections and associations between the works. Public programs and BigIdea Nights, YBCA's popular free open house series, are dedicated to establishing a deeperunderstanding and appreciation of contemporary art. YBCA presents programming year-roundin the Forum, Screening Room, Galleries and Novellus Theater. For tickets and information, call415.978.ARTS (2787) or visit www.ybca.org.About the Doris Duke Charitable FoundationThe mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is to improve the quality of people’s livesthrough grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical researchand the prevention of child abuse, and through preservation of the cultural and environmentallegacy of Doris Duke’s properties. Established in 1996, the Foundation supports four nationalgrant-making programs. It also supports three properties that were owned by Doris Duke—inHillsborough, New Jersey; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Newport, Rhode Island—all of which are opento the public for educational and recreational purposes. The Foundation awarded its first grantsin 1997. To date, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $1 billion. For moreinformation, please visit www.ddpaa.org.# # #