ANN ARBOR—The University Musical Society (UMS) at the University of Michigan has been designated one of the country’s leading arts presenters by the Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund and has been awarded a $1.25 million grant to be distributed over a period of four years.

The University Musical Society is one of four arts presenters and 15 cultural organizations in the country to be awarded a grant under the Leadership and Excellence in Arts Participation (LEAP) program, a premier grant program totaling $16 million that supports efforts to encourage broader, more diverse audiences for the arts.

The grant, the largest in UMS’ 121-year history, will be used to collaborate with local cultural groups and U-M schools, colleges, and departments to conduct annual residencies by major artists in modern dance, jazz and theater, and to develop new marketing and fund-raising strategies that more fully involve new audiences.

In addition, UMS and its partners will host a wide range of educational activities including master classes, radio interviews, in-school programs, pre- and post-concert events, teacher workshops, major conferences and residency activities.

“I am delighted that the Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund has once again recognized our commitment to and achievements in audience development. I am enthusiastic about our future plans and know that we will put this money to the best use possible,” said UMS President Kenneth C. Fischer.

The Wallace-Reader’s Digest Funds have been the largest source of private foundation support for the arts in the United States during the past decade. UMS has received five Wallace-funded grants during the 1990s for projects, which included Martha Graham Dance Company and Donald Byrd’s “The Harlem Nutcracker” among many others. The LEAP initiative is one way the Funds are supporting arts organizations across the country that wish to address the specific needs of people in their communities.

This announcement follows two other large grants received by UMS in recent weeks: an Anchor Organization grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) in the amount of $352,100 for the 2000-2001 season along with an Arts, Cultural and Quality of Life grant of $400,000 from the Office of Management and Budget of the State of Michigan for the Royal Shakespeare Company residency project.

University Musical Society is a multi-disciplinary performing arts organization affiliated with the U-M.

University Musical SocietyLeadership and Excellence in Arts ParticipationhistoryMartha Graham Dance CompanyMichigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs