WIT receives first-ever grant award from the National Endowment for the Arts

Washington Improv Theater proudly announces its first-ever grant award from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant, which is a part of the Art Works program, will fund a year’s worth of classes at the Anacostia Arts Center as well as free Improv for All workshops and performances.

“It’s WIT’s mission to share improv with every corner of DC, so I’m thrilled that WIT is able to renew our relationship with Anacostia Arts Center,” said Education Director Jonathan Murphy. “Having personally taught Levels 4 and 5 there, I’ve seen the benefits of creating connections between students separated by geography. This partnership allows us to reduce barriers of cost and transportation so that we can provide access to more Washingtonians.”

Previously, WIT ran several classes at Anacostia Arts Center through the support of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ East of the River grant. In the fall of 2016, WIT successfully ran a level five Harold class at the venue, allowing an entire cohort of students to complete the curriculum entirely east of the river.

“Of the many stories from people who have taken WIT’s classes in Anacostia, there is one common theme that always stands out: taking improv classes with WIT helps people overcome themselves to be more confident and liberated,” said Anacostia Arts Center Director Camille Kashaka. “It’s hard to articulate what a wonderful energy the WIT team and its students bring, but it’s nearly magical.”

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu approved more than $80 million in grants as part of the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018. The Art Works category is the NEA’s largest funding category and supports projects that focus on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and/or the strengthening of communities through the arts.