Texas Folklife to Receive $65,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Sheree Scarborough
(512) 922-5483, sheree.scarborough@gmail.com
TEXAS FOLKLIFE TO RECEIVE $65,000 FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
Funding will Support “Stories from Deep in the Heart” and the Apprenticeship Program
More than $80 Million Awarded for Arts Projects Nationwide
Austin, Texas – May 9, 2018 – National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $80 million to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $35,000 to Texas Folklife for the “Stories Deep in the Heart” Program and $30,000 through the State Arts Partnership with the Texas Commission on the Arts for the Apprenticeship Program—for a total of $65,000. The Art Works category is the NEA’s largest funding category and supports projects that focus on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and/or the strengthening of communities through the arts.
Texas Folklife’s “Stories from Deep in the Heart” Program, which has been approved for a $35,000 award, is an award-winning youth media program that teaches public school students, teachers, and community members how to document their family and community traditions through audio documentaries. This award will support podcasting workshops and in-depth fieldwork projects with AISD students and teachers, a youth internship program, and pilot projects in new school districts across Texas.
The Apprenticeship Program, which has been approved for a $30,000 award, connects master artists across the state with skilled apprentices who receive training in a traditional art form. The Apprenticeship Program is a partnership between Texas Folklife and the Texas Commission on the Arts, and supports master/apprentice artist pairs with a monetary award, documentation and media promotion, and performance opportunities. The State Arts Partnership Award will also support a convening of folk and traditional arts stakeholders from across Texas, who will gather to discuss strengthening the state’s folk arts infrastructure and collaboration opportunities.
2016-2018 Apprenticeship Program interactive Google map:
https://goo.gl/t5vjcF
The map shows master artists and apprentices from the last 3 years of the Apprenticeship Program since Texas Folklife re-launched the program with a 2015 NEA State Arts Partnership Award. It displays interactive audio, video, and photo content.
Apprenticeship Program Video Overview:
https://vimeo.com/266732270
“Stories from Deep in the Heart” 2018 Summer Institute:
http://texasfolklife.org/ssi2018
One-week folklore and audio documentary production workshop for teachers and community members, taught by folklorists and audio production specialists. Includes narration recording at KUT 90.5FM, Austin’s NPR affiliate.
“The variety and quality of these projects speaks to the wealth of creativity and diversity in our country,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “Through the work of organizations such as Texas Folklife in Austin, NEA funding invests in local communities, helping people celebrate the arts wherever they are.”
“We are honored to receive this funding recommendation from the National Endowment for the Arts,” said Texas Folklife Executive Director Charlie Lockwood. “These awards build on the last several years of funding through the NEA State Arts Partnership and support from the Texas Commission on the Arts to provide opportunities for community-based artists and tradition bearers, as well as Texas youth through our education and media projects. We look forward to working with the NEA and our State Arts Partner TCA this year as the state-designated folk and traditional arts organization for the state, and are appreciative of the NEA’s support for these projects. We leverage this public investment in the folk and traditional arts with programs that bolster the creative economy locally and across Texas.”
For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.
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. Since 1984, 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.
1708 Houston St
Austin, Texas 78756
T (512) 441-9255
F (844) 386-2091
Media information: Sheree Scarborough (512) 922-5483 / sheree.scarborough@gmail.com
