Presenting Artists from Abroad in American Communities

Center Stage leverages the power of the performing arts to transcend boundaries, encourages people to dynamically engage with cultures other than their own, and delivers lasting impacts in the U.S. and abroad. The program identifies, prepares, and tours young, excellent, contemporary professional performing arts groups from abroad to diverse American communities.

Center Stage is presented by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Produced by New England Foundation for the Arts, with General Management by Lisa Booth Management, Inc. The core Center Stage team at all three organizations has been consistent since its launch in 2012.

Primary funding from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, along with private foundations including Asian Cultural Council, Doris Duke Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, Trust for Mutual Understanding, and the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, and fees paid by presenters to host Center Stage ensembles.

since 2012

• 47 dance, music, and theatre ensembles from
• 17 countries: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Tanzania, Ukraine, and Vietnam
• traveled to 110 communities in 37 states and Washington, DC
• to present 400+ performances and more than 900 off stage activities,
• directly reaching more than 170,000 people across the country.

Center Stage ensembles performed in a range of communities from large cities like New York, L.A., and Chicago to small towns like Bellows Falls, Vermont (pop. 2,700); Butte, Montana (pop. 35,000); and Lyons, Nebraska (pop. 812).

Artists spent time in each community, taking time to connect. These residencies attract new audiences and nurture existing relationships, build new community, and celebrate cultural groups that residents may have been unfamiliar with.

“The benefit of working with Center Stage is their unique ability to tour amazing international musicians and ensembles from underrepresented cultures. Without Center Stage support, we would not be able to present these artists due to the logistical and financial hurdles that are in place to tour the U.S.”

 

Carlos Tortolero, Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs, WorldFest Chicago

19 journalists from 11 countries were embedded in ensembles’ tours. They provided citizens at home with access to and knowledge of Center Stage tours and covered aspects of the American ‘cultural scene’ via print pieces and real time social media posts.

outcomes

• Artist professional development: Participants gain tools, visibility, and experiences to advance their careers
• Mutual understanding: Both American audiences and international participants gain insight into new cultures and experiences, broadening their understanding of the world
• New connections: NEFA strengthens its connections and broadens its reach within the performing arts field across the nation, internationally, and with the U.S. government

season 8

Four alumni ensembles returned to the U.S. for tours running from July through November 2025 for our eighth and final season.

• Khumariyaan (Peshawar, Pakistan)
• Mohamed Abozekry Sextet (Cairo, Egypt)
• Papermoon Puppet Theatre (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
• Kurbasy (Lviv, Ukraine)

world culture in context

In collaboration with NEFA and Season 8 ensembles, Center for Cultural Vibrancy (CCV) created digital education videos and curricular materials aimed at middle and high school learners, with ensembles available for virtual visits for their World Culture in Context program. Students discover artists who are connected to communities around the world and engage directly with these artists to learn more about how they have been shaped by place.

Thank you

To all who advocated, advanced, planned, and participated including our amazing artists, presenters, and “behind the scenes” miracle workers— we thank you!

Thank you to our partners at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Cultural Affairs and Consular Officers, and Locally Employed Staff members at U.S. Embassies abroad. 

celebrate & remember

What has Center Stage meant to you? Help us collect and tell Center Stage’s stories! Send notes, images, videos, and memories to centerstage@nefa.org.

Our story will live on through CenterStageUs.org, where we plan to showcase the achievements, highlights, and learnings of this signature initiative.