The MUSICARUSSIA FOUNDATION is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of artistic and educational collaborations of excellence between North America and Russia. Founded in 1995 as Kirov Opera International, the Foundation's goals encompass the promotion of Russian cultural heritage projects and the appreciation of Russian arts, with particular emphasis on music. Projects focus on funding performances of new and established works and cooperative partnerships between American and Russian artists, directors, designers, educators and administrators as well as providing educational outreach in the United States and Russia about Russian arts-related subjects.