Since inception in 2012, N.E.W. has been grounded in equity and access driving artistic expression and excellence. Every year, N.E.W. celebrates and supports multi-cultural independent performing artists who teach, incubate, and create bold new works. N.E.W.’s positive and uplifting programming provides equal access to and visibility for diverse art-forms. N.E.W. is also the home to an intensive urban residency program that annually offers 8 choreographers 6 months of free rehearsal space, a modest stipend, and a culminating performance opportunity to showcase their new creations. N.E.W. and its founder Subashini Ganesan are honored to have received RACC’s 2018 Juice! Award and White Bird’s 2019 Community Engagement Award, for making affordable space possible to artists and arts organizations.
New Expressive Works (N.E.W.) engages audiences with the creative power of multi-cultural, multi-genre, and multi-disciplinary professional independent performing artists, by providing critical studio space for artistic research, education, and public performances.
N.E.W. is a unique endeavor that was started in 2012 by Subashini Ganesan, the current Creative Laureate of Portland. Ganesan curates a vibrant space that fosters cross-cultural dialogue and is at the forefront of starting conversations around cultural and artistic stereotypes. Performing artists gather, create, and benefit from one another’s expertise in N.E.W.’s realistically and affordably priced studios.
Every year over 200 multi-cultural & multi-disciplinary performing artists and over 7500 members of the public (as audience member or students) are experiencing a variety of programs.
- Residency Program for Choreographers:- 8 choreographers receive six months of incubation space to develop new work, a modest stipend, and a fully produced weekend performance opportunity. 50 choreographers have benefitted to date (since 2012).
- Our Cultural Voice:- This event series singularly focuses on engaging diverse audiences to hear, see, feel, and experience the identities, leadership skills, and stories of artists and activists from under-represented and under-served communities. Presenters include people of color (especially black, Latinx, and Asian communities), refugees, immigrants, LGBTQ activists, and disability-activist.
- Affordable Performance Venue:- At least 20 new works are premiered in our intimate and versatile performance venue, spanning cultural, artistic genres and physical ability.
- Diverse, Multi-cultural Weekly Movement Classes:- 15 regular, multicultural weekly classes welcome students of all ages, ability, races, and walks of life.
- Subsidized Rental for Artistic Research and Education:- Performing artists use the studios to incubate, teach, rehearse, and present public performances. N.E.W. rigorously maintains rates at about 1/3rd of commercial real estate rates in the Central East Side.
- Collaborative Partnerships:- N.E.W. forges relationships with METRO, Prosper Portland, Multnomah County Library system, Regional Arts & Culture Council, Portland Art Museum, Morpheus Youth Project, APANO, Young Gifted & Brown, Artists Repertory Theater, Young Audiences, and Right Brain Initiative to increase opportunities for artists, teachers, and audiences.
Board of Directors
Subashini Ganesan
Scott H. Forbes
Marlana Donehoo
Sasha Muench
Residency Resource Council
Mike Barber
Michelle Fujii
Katherine Longstreth
Erin Boberg
Staff
Founder/ED: Subashini Ganesan
Studio Coordinator: Belinda Washington
MAJOR DONORS
Ronni Lacroute
The James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Regional Arts & Culture Council
Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation
Multnomah County Cultural Coalition
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
WYSE Real Estate Advisors
SUSTAINER CIRCLE
($500 - $1500 level)
Lisa Orr
Laurel & Gene Leverton
Katherine Longstreth
Sasha Muench
Susan Olson & Bill Nelson
Raahi Reddy & Hays Witt
George & Nancy Thorn
Ben Moorad & Stephanie Barr
Several Anonymous Donors