Billy Childs, John Malpede win Doris Duke Performing Artist Awards

Two Los Angeles-based artists -- jazz musician Billy Childs and theater director John Malpede -- are among the 20 recipients of the Doris Duke Performing Artist Awards for 2013.

The recipients, whose names were announced this week, will each receive an unrestricted grant of $225,000 over a period of three to five years. An additional $50,000 is available to each of the winners based on other criteria.

The award was launched in 2011 with the intent of honoring individuals in the fields of theater, dance, jazz and related interdisciplinary work. The honors are part of the Doris Duke Performing Artists Initiative, a 10-year, $50-million commitment from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in partnership with Creative Capital, a cultural investment group.

FULL COVERAGE: Tonys 2013

Childs is a composer and an accomplished jazz pianist. Malpede directs the Los Angeles Poverty Department, a company that creates theatrical performances that addresses life in the city’s skid row area.

This year’s other recipients are Lisa D’Amour, Anthony Braxton, Ping Chong, Kelly Copper, DD Dorvillier, Amir ElSaffar, David Gordon, Pat Graney, Stacey Klein, David Lang, Pavol Liska, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Miya Masaoka, Myra Melford, Tere O’Connor, William Parker, Elizabeth Streb and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.

Last year’s winners included Elizabeth LeCompte, Basil Twist, Meredith Monk and and John Hollenbeck.

Organizers said on the awards’ official website that the prizes aren’t a lifetime achievement honor nor a “genius” grant, but are intended to honor recipients for their accomplishments and to allow them to pursue future work.

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