Texas Folklife to Offer Public Media Workshops
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTSheree Scarborough
(512) 922-5483, sheree.scarborough@gmail.com
TEXAS FOLKLIFE TO OFFER PUBLIC MEDIA WORKSHOPS
Workshops to be held in both English and Spanish will teach Podcasting for Radio and Recording Family Stories
Austin, Texas – March 22, 2017 – Texas Folklife will offer Public Media Workshops in writing and producing radio podcasts and recording family stories in April. This will be the first in a series of community workshops offered to the public by the non-profit. The workshops will be produced by Texas Folklife’s award-winning media education program “Stories from Deep in the Heart.” The workshops will be held at the Texas Folklife Gallery and will be bilingual.
“Writing for Radio” will be held on Wednesday, April 5, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Texas Folklife producers will lead participants in the process of writing radio and podcast scripts—and producing them. Participants will also have the opportunity to plan a small personal fieldwork project and receive personal guidance and feedback. This workshop will be held in English but Spanish translators will be available.
“Cuentos y relatos de familia” will be held on Wednesday, April 26, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This workshop will focus on family and community stories. Texas Folklife producers will lead participants through the process of converting family memories, traditional stories, and cultural legacies into audio narrations. Participants are encouraged to bring an article of personal value or a family photo related to the story they want to tell. This workshop will be held in Spanish but English translators will be available.
There is a suggested donation of $20 for workshop participants, and a limited number of seats will be available. All proceeds will directly support the Stories from Deep in the Heart program. Please contact Texas Folklife at stories@texasfolklife.org or call 512-441-9255 to register. Prior experience in folklore, fieldwork, or media production is not required in order to attend either workshop.
The workshops are the newest initiative by “Stories from Deep in the Heart,” Texas Folklife’s National Endowment for the Arts-funded program that teaches podcasting, radio production, and interview skills across Central Texas with the goal of inspiring Texan’s to dig deeper and explore family, community, and local cultural traditions. The broadcast-quality productions are regularly aired across the country. Last year, the program worked with a total of 255 students and 90 community members, and produced 43 audio pieces. To hear some of the audio stories produced during Texas Folklife’s 2016 week-long intensive workshop for teachers go to: https://soundcloud.com/texasfolklife/sets/stories-summer-institute-2016-radio-documentaries
“We are very pleased to be able to offer these public workshops,” said Executive Director Charlie Lockwood. “Through our ‘Stories’ program Texas Folklife has been able to help students and educators learn how to record and produce radio documentaries on family and community traditions. We are now offering workshops with the same focus to the larger community to be able to further our mission to preserve and present the diverse cultures and heritage that make up our great state.”
“Stories from Deep in the Heart” is supported in part through grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art;; the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and Department of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs Grant for Technology Opportunities (GTOPS); and generous support from the Austin Independent School District and KUT News 90.5.
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. For over 30 years, 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
Stories from Deep in the Heart information: Brian Griffith (512) 441-9255 / stories@texasfolklife.org
