International Contemporary Ensemble proudly announces the establishment of the Arlene and Larry Dunn Fund for Afrodiasporic Music. Made possible by a generous multi-year pledge from devoted supporters of ICE Arlene and Larry Dunn, this fund represents a significant commitment to championing the rich tapestry of music by Afrodiasporic composers and performers. The vast store of Afrodiasporic works present an intercultural, multigenerational space of innovation that offers new subjects, histories, and identities that provide new opportunities for new musical thinking. “We are extremely excited about the direction George Lewis has set for Ensemble programming during his tenure as Artistic Director,” said Arlene Dunn. “George has long been an inspiration and a mentor for us in developing a keener understanding of how the racial inequities and erasures that plague our society in general have specific deleterious effects on Afrodiasporic artists. For us, that evolved into a call for action, giving rise to this new fund.”
“What I want our work to accomplish,” said George Lewis, “is to understand how engagement with Afrodiasporic new music is about changing and expanding the voice, meaning, and impact of classical music—a new identity, a new complexity.” The Arlene and Larry Dunn Fund for Afrodiasporic Music underscores ICE’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and celebrating diverse voices within contemporary music. The establishment of the Fund marks a significant milestone in ICE’s ongoing efforts to create a more equitable, decolonized, and representative global music community. Through this initiative, ICE will continue to affirm and center Afrodiasporic artists, foster dialogue, spark creativity, and inspire audiences.
To join Arlene and Larry Dunn in supporting the work of the Ensemble, please visit iceorg.org/support or email development@iceorg.org to discuss sponsorship opportunities. For more information about ICE’s upcoming programs, please visit iceorg.org/events.
First Sponsored Event
ICE AND EITHER/OR PERFORM MUSIC BY TALIB RASUL HAKIM
Saturday, May 18, 2024 2:00PM
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center
Free RSVP
Join us for the the Arlene and Larry Dunn Fund for Afrodiasporic Music’s first sponsored program on May 18 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. ICE and Either/Or present a musical portrait of legendary Society of Black Composers co-founder Talib Rasul Hakim. This program is also made possible through lead support from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Cheswatyr Foundation.
Arlene and Larry Dunn photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones; Talib Rasul Hakim image from the William A. Brown Collection, courtesy of the Archives & Special Collections at Columbia College Chicago.