Miami Light Project managing producer Rebekah Lengel checks in with an update on the 2010 Here & Now program…

21-year-old nonprofit, Miami Light Project launched the Here & Now commissioning program 11 years ago with the belief that investing in the artistic talents of Mimi-based performance and media artists would have great returns- not just on the individuals directly impacted in the artistic community, but on establishing Miami as a cultural destination of great talent, artistic excellence and diversity.

“Supporting community-based artists is the single most important activity in which a cultural institution can choose to engage, and Here & Now is the most important artistic program that Miami Light Project has ever developed,” said Beth Boone, Artistic and Executive Director of Miami Light Project.

In 11 years, Miami Light Project has commissioned work from more than 65 South Florida-based artists through Here & Now. Over 30 of those artists have gone on to perform that work in 14 states and 15 countries for an estimated audience of 20,000 people world-wide. In 2004, the Adrienne Arsht Center joined Miami Light Project as a commissioning partner, and in 2007 Here & Now performances moved to their new home in the Carnival Studio Theater and in 2008, Here & Now was one of the 31 inaugural grant recipients of The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Arts Partnership Program.

Here & Now: 2010 will premiere on March 5 at the Adrienne Arsht Center as part of Miami Made weekend- a weekend long exploration of new work by Miami’s very own native sons and daughters.  The eclectic offerings in Here & Now include a beat boxing BBoy exploring his own mortality, a woman shunning conventional love stories through song and dance and an exploration in sound that involves all the senses.

Click here to watch our video and visit miamilightproject.com or arshtcenter.org for more info.