We are pleased to announce that EducArte has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Challenge America award. This grant will support our monthly Saraus de Samba at Glen Echo Park. The NEA will award 272 Challenge America awards nationwide totaling $2,720,000 as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants. See the full announcement and list of awardees here.
“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including EducArte.”
“We are honored to receive the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America grant,” said Pablo Regis de Oliveira, Executive Director of EducArte. “This award will help us continue our mission of celebrating and preserving Afro-Brazilian culture through our monthly Sarau de Samba series at Glen Echo Park. The NEA’s support is not only a recognition of the vibrant contributions of the Brazilian community in the DMV area but also a testament to the importance of making arts accessible to underserved communities. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to expand our impact and bring people together through music, dance, and cultural connection.”
About the program:
Experience the exuberant and community-centered tradition of samba at EducArte’s Sarau de Samba, a monthly celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture in the heart of the DMV. Renowned local Brazilian performers Pablo Regis, André Coelho, and Ilheuma Zezeh lead the Rio de Janeiro style music and dance event. Samba is an interactive experience and we invite you to join the Sarau de Samba.
Set in the historic Glen Echo Park, Sarau de Samba features a dynamic ensemble of skilled musicians and dancers, showcasing the diverse rhythms of samba, from Golden Age classics and choro to modern pagode and high-energy carnival beats. More than just a performance, this event invites attendees to become part of the music, with opportunities to dance, sing, and even play instruments alongside the professionals. Each session starts with a beginner dance lesson. The event is open to people of any skill level, no partner or instruments required.
Sarau de Samba is presented by the region’s premier Brazilian performing arts presenter EducArte in partnership with Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture. Glen Echo Park is a family friendly venue and park that offers free parking and is easily accessible by public transportation. Food and drink are for sale. This family-friendly event offers a welcoming space for all ages and backgrounds to come together.
Join us monthly for an afternoon of rhythm, dance, and community. Sarau de Samba isn’t just an event; it’s a living, breathing celebration of Brazilian identity and the unifying power of music. Don’t miss this chance to experience the authentic spirit of Brazil right here in Maryland!
For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.