TEXAS FOLKLIFE RECEIVES GRAMMY FOUNDATION AND STILL WATER FOUNDATION GRANTS
Grants to Support Archival Preservation Efforts
Austin, Texas – May 7, 2014 – Texas Folklife has been awarded two grants to support the organization’s ongoing archival preservation efforts. Texas Folklife received $10,000 in general operating and project support from the Still Water Foundation, with $5,000 pledged to their archival preservation project. In addition, Texas Folklife received a $5,000 Preservation Assistance award from the GRAMMY Foundation® to support audio recordings of Texas folk and traditional arts performances, field recordings, and interviews dating from 1984. Notably, the non-profit was one of 15 grant recipients in the U.S.—and the only one in Texas—to receive a GRAMMY Foundation award.
Texas Folklife is undertaking a project to assess, digitize, preserve and present 30 years of archived audio, video, photographic and hand-written documentation of the folk and traditional arts from across the state of Texas. As the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) state-designated folk arts agency, Texas Folklife has been documenting and presenting our state’s rich cultural heritage through a vibrant mix of public performances, research endeavors, and educational initiatives since 1984. Included in their archival holdings is a collection of audio recordings related to folklore and folk craft demonstrations, music and dance performances, interviews, educational workshops, event promotional materials, and oral histories.
With this support from the GRAMMY Foundation and the Still Water Foundation for this phase of the project, Texas Folklife will hire consultants from the University of Texas School of Information Sciences for the planning, assessment, and preparation of their archive holdings. The ultimate goal is to make the archive available for researchers, folklife enthusiasts, and the general public.
“We at Texas Folklife are feeling very grateful this spring. Last month we received a generous NEA Art Works grant for our ‘Stories from Deep in the Heart’ Summer Institute,” said Executive Director Cristina Ballí. “And now with this generous support from the GRAMMY Foundation and the Still Water Foundation we will be able to take concrete steps toward organizing, digitizing, and making our rich, archival holdings available to the public.”
About Texas Folklife
Texas Folklife is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and preserving the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, Texas Folklife has honored the authentic cultural traditions passed down within communities, explored their importance in contemporary society, and celebrated them by providing accessible and joyful arts experiences. It is located in Austin, Texas, in the SoCo neighborhood—one of the city’s vibrant commercial and arts district.
For more information contact (512) 441-9255, clockwood@texasfolkife.org or visit www.texasfolklife.org
Media information:
Charlie Lockwood / 512-441-9255 /clockwood@texasfolklife.org
Operations and Development Director
