The Black Alphabet Film Festival—the world’s oldest Black LGBTQ+-focused event of its kind—was part of the first round of grant recipients from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), receiving $20,000.
In a press release, Black Alphabet NFP Executive Director Adam L. McMath said, “We are delighted to receive our first federal grant. This is Black Alphabet NFP’s 10th year, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our work than by gaining support from the National Endowment for the Arts and our federal government.
“The Black Alphabet Film Festival is our flagship program, and it is the world’s oldest Black LGBTQ+ focused film festival. We strive to amplify Black LGBTQ+ voices through the arts, and with the NEA’s support, we will be able to continue this important work.”
According to the organization, it is one of 1,251 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling nearly $28.8 million that were announced by the NEA as part of its first round of the fiscal year 2023 grants.
A few of the other Chicago organizations that also received NEA grants included the Black Ensemble Theater Corporation ($30,000); Chicago Opera Theater ($25,000); Facets Multimedia Incorporated ($20,000); Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance ($10,000); Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, Inc.($15,000); Joffrey Ballet ($10,000); Lyric Opera of Chicago ($40,000); Newberry Library ($35,000); and Storycatchers Theatre ($50,000).