NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MetLife Foundation today announced seven grants totaling $580,000 for innovative programs that promote access to the arts for individuals with disabilities and raise public awareness of disabilities. These grants support MetLife Foundation's commitment to building healthy communities, where people of all ages and abilities can come together to understand and learn through the arts.

"We believe that arts play a vital role in learning and enriching our communities," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "We are proud to partner with arts organizations that have demonstrated leadership, creativity, and innovation in promoting access to the arts for all."

Grants were made to the following organizations:

AXIS Dance Company - To support the national tour of a company which includes performances, as well as works developed by dancers with and without disabilities.

Boston Children's Museum - To support the national tour of access/ABILITY, an award-winning, interactive exhibit for children and families that promotes public awareness of disabilities.

Dancing Wheels - To support the national tour of a company that integrates professional stand-up and wheelchair dancers.

Metropolitan Museum of Art - To support the museum's access initiatives for individuals with developmental, learning, physical, and sensory disabilities.

Ping Chong & Company - To support Undesirable Elements/Secret History, a series of community-specific, cross-cultural, oral history theater works, including Inside/Out...Voices from the Disability Community.

Public Theater - To support outreach to hearing-impaired theatergoers during the free summer season of Shakespeare in the Park in New York City.

VSA Arts - To support Arts Connects All, a national competitive program which encourages innovative collaborations between arts organizations and public schools to make education programs accessible to students with and without disabilities.

About MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to continue the company's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants are made to support health, educational, civic and cultural organizations and programs. The Foundation contributes to arts and cultural organizations, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for young people, reaching broad audiences through inclusive programming, and making arts more accessible for all people. For more information, please visit www.metlife.org.

MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. MetLife and MetLife Foundation have invested more than $15 million for Alzheimer's research and public information programs, including $10 million through the Awards for Medical Research program. Working with the Alzheimer's Association, the Foundation has supported caregiving videos, resources for the Hispanic community and the Safe Return identification program, which addresses the problem of senior wandering. The Foundation has expanded its focus on aging issues, including helping people remain physically and mentally fit and remaining engaged in the community. It also supports programs addressing issues of caregiving, intergenerational activities and volunteer opportunities. Grants support health, education, and civic and cultural programs. More information about MetLife Foundation is available at www.metlife.org.

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