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- Heritage art programs support the work of traditional artists and artisans.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA image by wiroguno from Fotolia.com
Heritage art programs support artists and artisans whose work is rooted in regional or ethnic tradition. Heritage programs may award grants to individual artists or groups or may simply provide training, documentation, performance or presentation opportunities. Often, these programs are intended to raise awareness of traditional arts. In the U.S., Ohio, Mississippi and Connecticut operate heritage art programs. - Among CHAP participants are traditional Indian dance practitioners.dance image by Clark Duffy from Fotolia.com
The Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program supports and "promotes traditional artists ... through an active process of documentation, technical assistance and public presentation," according to the program website. The program targets individual artists, dancers and artisans--many of whom are newly immigrated--and their communities. Among its active projects are an apprenticeship program that allows traditional arts practitioners to pass on their art form to a new generation. CHAP also endeavors "to bring [traditional artists'] work and the history of their communities to new audiences." Most recently, CHAP developed a program to train these artists to present workshops in public schools.
Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program
The Institute for Community Research
Two Hartford Square West, Suite 100
146 Wyllys St.
Hartford, CT 06106-5128
860-278-2044, ext. 251
www.ctheritagearts.org - Mississippi's Heritage Program awards grants to traditional artists.the blues image by Deborah Durbin from Fotolia.com
Mississippi's cultural contributions cannot be overstated, as it is the birthplace of blues music, as well as a host of individual Pulitzer, Emmy, Grammy and Oscar winners. The state also takes its commitment to traditional arts seriously, having created its heritage program to "increase the awareness and foster the continuation of ... traditional forms through ... grants and special projects," according to its website. The heritage program, administered by the Mississippi Arts Commission, offers mini-grants, project grants and operating grants to presenting organizations, as well as fellowship and apprenticeship grants of up to $4,000 to individual artists. It also publishes a directory of folk artists and sponsors documentation projects. Past recipients of individual grant awards include blues and gospel musicians, visual artists, basket weavers and textile artisans.
Mississippi Heritage Program
Mississippi Arts Commission
501 N. West St., Suite 1101A
Woolfolk Building
Jackson, MI 39201
601-359-6030
www.arts.state.ms.us - Ohio Heritage Fellowships have been awarded to engravers, musicians and weavers, among others.engraver image by Chris Lofty from Fotolia.com
The Ohio Arts Council sponsors the Ohio Heritage Fellowships to "recognize Ohio folk and traditional artists who are the finest and most influential masters of their particular art forms ... " according to the OAC website. The three award categories include performing arts, material culture (including folk art, folk crafts and folk architecture) and community leadership. The Arts Council awards one $3,500 fellowship per year to a group or individual. In 2006 and 2007, it awarded no fellowships. The Ohio Arts Council defines the traditional arts as "expressions of ethnic, linguistic, occupational or regional groups." Eligible artists must be Ohio residents nominated by a third party. The award ceremony is held each fall. Past fellowship recipients include blues, jazz and bluegrass musicians, quilters, engravers, and arts presenters and promoters.
Ohio Heritage Fellowships
Ohio Arts Council
727 E. Main St.
Columbus, OH 43205-1796
614-466-4494
www.oac.state.oh.us
Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program
Mississippi Heritage Program
Ohio Heritage Fellowships
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