For immediate release January 16, 2009

Media contact: Hope H. Davis 443-840-5053

CCBC’s Senior Star Showcase awarded $25,000 NEA grant

Baltimore, Md. – The Senior Star Showcase at the Community College of Baltimore County was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This grant was one of 14 awarded among 55 applications under NEA’s Creativity and Aging America category.

The Senior Star Showcase started in the 1980s as a 16-member choir comprised of local seniors 55 years of age and older. Today, the Senior Star Showcase has gained national prominence performing in Las Vegas for the Senior Theatre USA Performance Festival. The troupe has also performed in New York, in Washington, DC and at many local Maryland colleges. Each year, the Senior Star Showcase performs two major productions at CCBC and then tours the state giving musical performances at local civic organizations, churches, synagogues, nursing homes, senior centers and retirement communities.

Senior Star Showcase Artistic Director Arne Lindquist was honored to receive the grant. “At a time when people are expected to go quietly into retirement, the NEA grant demonstrates a national support for life-long learning and reaffirms the respect for the continued creativity and talents of our senior population,” exclaimed Lindquist.

Scott Black, CCBC’s dean of the School of Liberal Arts, had congratulatory remarks for the Senior Star Showcase as well. “During my 36 years at CCBC I have seen the Senior Star Showcase develop into one of the nation’s premier older adult performing groups,” said Black. “The recognition from the NEA continues the national recognition of the group’s excellence.”

NEA’s Creativity and Aging America grants support projects that involve older Americans as creators through literature and music, and promote lifelong learning in the arts. Projects are conducted by professional artists and engage older adults as students, artists, and/or teachers.

The Senior Star Showcase will use the money to support the production of Jubilation Springs, which will be comprised of senior performers who will develop, produce and perform a Broadway style show featuring original country music.

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About CCBC
Rooted in the community since 1957, CCBC educates nearly 65,000 students each year, including half of all Baltimore County residents attending college in Maryland as undergraduates. Offering more than 50 associate degree and 100 certificate programs, CCBC is ranked among the best in providing undergraduate education, work force development, technology, health care training and life enrichment options to citizens throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area. CCBC also provides customized employee development training to more than 100 companies annually.

CCBC. The incredible value of education.