The Pittsburgh Opera has announced that it will receive a $25,000 Art Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help support the new production of “Moby-Dick” by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer.

The grant is part of the more than $25 million in grants which NEA Chairman Jane Chu has approved as part of the NEA’s first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018.

Chu noted in a press release, “It is energizing to see the impact that the arts are making throughout the United States. These NEA-supported projects, such as this one to Pittsburgh Opera, are good examples of how the arts build stronger and more vibrant communities, improve well-being, prepare our children to succeed, and increase the quality of our lives. At the National Endowment for the Arts, we believe that all people should have access to the joy, opportunities and connections the arts bring.”

“We appreciate this strong endorsement from the NEA” said Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn. “This new production of Moby-Dick will help introduce thousands of people to opera.”

“Moby-Dick” opens on March 17 and runs through the 25.