NEW BEDFORD, Mass.-- National Endowment for the Arts Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced recently that the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts is one of 832 non-profit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. CEDC is recommended for a $45,000 grant to produce the 2014 Working Waterfront Festival.

The eleventh annual Working Waterfront Festival will take place in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28. This free, family-friendly event opens the waterfront to the public with a rare look into commercial fishing, America’s oldest industry. The 2014 Festival will put the spotlight on the historic and contemporary role of fishing families. Festival programming will highlight the skills, knowledge and traditions that are passed from one generation to the next.

Acting Chairman Shigekawa said, "The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support these exciting and diverse arts projects that will take place throughout the United States. Whether it is through a focus on education, engagement, or innovation, these projects all contribute to vibrant communities and memorable experiences for the public to engage with the arts."

Art Works grants support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence: public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancing the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,528 eligible Art Works applications, requesting more than $75 million in funding. Of those applications, 895 were recommended for grants for a total of $ 23.4 million. For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.

“These funds will enable us to continue to provide a forum for the commercial fishing community to tell its own story and a unique and significant opportunity for the public to learn first hand about the lives, skills and traditions of the working waterfront” according to Festival Director Laura Orleans.

The NEA grant provides only a portion of the monies needed to present the Festival. Corporate sponsors throughout New England provide the additional support needed to produce the event. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact the Festival office at 508-993-8894. All contributions are tax deductible.

The Working Waterfront Festival is a project of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts, a non-profit organization. The FREE festival, a family friendly, educational celebration of New England's commercial fishing industry, features live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen's contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, author readings, cooking demonstrations, kid's activities and more. It all takes place in New Bedford, Mass., on the last full weekend of September. Navigate to us at www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org.