We know what the current administration is up to these days--trying to bring down communities of color, immigrants, Diversity Equity And Inclusion--and in doing so, has cut many grants and funds that would go to programs and organizations which are all about DEI and helping to make safe spaces and platforms for marginalized voices to be heard.
One of those is Theater Mu in the Twin Cities which was founded in 1992 by Dong-il Lee, Rick Shiomi, Martha B. Johnson, and Diane Espaldon as an arts organization dedicated to bringing Asian American voices to the Twin Cities theater community. It is now one of the largest Asian American theater companies in the U.S. and is the largest in the Midwest.
Here is their statement on losing their NEA grant for their show Fifty Boxes of Earth:
"On Friday evening, May 2, Theater Mu received notice that its $20,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant for Fifty Boxes of Earth, which had its world premiere in March, was terminated because our production fell outside of "projects that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the president."
Minnesota's Asian American is unique to the US. We are 56% SE Asian, the majority of whom came to the US after as a result of the wars in SE Asia 50 years ago. Over 54% of our Asian American community identifies as immigrant or refugees. To leave out these stories is to leave out a rich and vital part of what makes our Minnesota so special.
No matter the funding or political landscape, Theater Mu will not censor itself, nor will we change our mission of creating great performances born of arts, equity, and justice from the heart of the Asian American experience.
Ankita Raturi’s Fifty Boxes of Earth wove theater, puppetry, and choreography together; challenged xenophobia and transphobia; and centered love and hope. This is the type of art we will continue to uphold and produce.
After Theater Mu’s $20,000 NEA grant was revoked, our partners at the Venturous Theater Fund, a fund of Tides Foundation, graciously stepped up with an additional $15,000 grant.
With your help, we can recover the final $5,000. Will you be the one to help us reach our goal"
Read it in full and donate here: https://www.theatermu.org/news/2025/5/05/response-to-nea#gsc.tab=0
