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| VOLUME 4, NO. 12 | May 16, 2007 |
What's NewNew Guidelines Available for ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program
This month the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) announces the availability of guidelines and application forms for the eighth round of its Apprenticeship Program. Guidelines and application forms are now available online. Alternatively, please call ACTA at (415) 561-1562 to request a copy be mailed to you. The postmark deadline for submission of applications is August 31, 2007. ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program encourages the continuation of the state’s traditional arts and cultures by contracting master artists to train qualified apprentices, working in a one-on-one relationship. Each contract will support a period of intensive learning for individuals who have shown a commitment to and a talent for a specific artistic tradition. Contracts of $3,000 will be made with master artists throughout California to cover master artist’s fees, supplies, and travel. Descriptions of previous apprenticeships are available on ACTA’s website. ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program is supported by the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, the James Irvine Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For More Information ContactSherwood Chen New Guidelines Available for ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program
This month ACTA announces the availability of guidelines and application forms for the third round of its Living Cultures Grants Program. Guidelines and application forms are now available online. Alternatively, please call (415) 561-7893 to request a copy be mailed to you. The postmark deadline for submission of proposals is August 1, 2007. ACTA staff is always available to discuss the program and is happy to work with first-time grant seekers. The Living Cultures Grants Program funds nonprofit organizations to support exemplary projects in the traditional arts in California. Approximately 35-40 grants of up to $7,500 will be made in this funding cycle. Descriptions of previously funded projects are available on ACTA’s website. The Living Cultures Grants Program is a project of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts in partnership with the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation. For More Information ContactLily Kharrazi Save the Date!—ACTA Informational MeetingsThroughout May and June, ACTA will host eight informational meetings around the state – Riverside (May 14), San Diego (May 22), Oakland (June 4), Eureka/Arcata (June 5), Fresno (June 5), San Jose (June 14), Los Angeles (June 21), and Santa Cruz (June 25). Please join ACTA staff for a meeting in your area to learn more about ACTA and its programs. Complete guidelines and application forms for all three of ACTA programs – the Apprenticeship Program, the Living Cultures Grants Program, and the Traditional Arts Development Program – will be available on-site at the meeting, as well as on ACTA’s website. Please visit ACTA’s website to view a complete informational meeting schedule. An Apprenticeship in Classical Cambodian Dance
Sherwood Chen, Associate Director, ACTA Classical Cambodian dance is considered one of Cambodia’s most revered treasures, and can be traced back a millennium. The classical dances represented highly stylized interpretations of mythology, and served as a communication between the king and his gods. A thousand years later, in the historically agricultural city of Windsor, California, master dancer and choreographer Charya Cheam Burt continues the traditions by working intensively with San Francisco-based Prumsodun Ok at Charya’s and her husband Rob Burt’s home. Burt and Ok are participants in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program this year, and have been working one-on-one since December 2006. Both have a connection to maser dancer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro (Apprenticeship Program 1999-2000), Burt being Shapiro’s younger sister, and Ok studying at the Khmer Arts Academy in Long Beach as a protégé of Shapiro, who introduced Ok to classical Cambodian dance five years ago. Together, Burt and Ok have been focused on classical repertory pieces, original new work, and fundamental dance training required in this exacting and highly disciplined form, emphasizing Ok’s ability to develop appropriate expression, and the ability to master the essential flow of movement. California Association for Music Education Presents Six California Traditional Artists at Annual Teachers’ In-Service
Richard Rodriguez, Multicultural Music Representative, California Music Education Association The California Association for Music Education (CMEA) presented six prominent California traditional artists that participated in the annual state teachers’ in-service held March 15-17, 2007, in Ontario, California. ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program sponsored the participation of world-renowned Jose Hernandez and his Mariachi Sol de Mexico, and the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA’s) Traditional Arts Growth Program supported participation of the Chinese ensemble “Zheng,” Master Nigerian drummer Francis Awe, and Yoruban dancer Omowale Orisayomi. Approximately 300 music educators attended sessions given by these artists over the 3-day event. Expert classroom teachers, music administrators, university professors, early childhood experts, as well as student participants, found the presentations to be one of the highlights of the state conference. Former ACTA Apprentice Marika Tobak Performs in Mendocino
Master artist Ferenc Tobak and daughter and apprentice Marika Tobak (participants in Round 6 of ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program) recently performed in Mendocino, California, in a self-produced concert, “Of Two Worlds,” a presentation of traditional Hungarian music and Marika’s own original compositions. This presentation was the culmination of Ferenc and Marika’s participation in ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program. The Tobak family musicians – Marika, her mother Mary, and her brother Zoltán – are led by Ferenc. The program included folk tales and music played on traditional Hungarian instruments: furulya, tilinka, duda, gardon, and koboz. Kate Hayes, a local reviewer and audience member, observed that “Marika's love of and commitment to music, family, and community was apparent from the moment she took the stage.” To learn more about the Tobaks, please visit their website. In Memoriam: Wilma McDaniel, 1918-2007
Wilma McDaniel, poet laureate of Tulare County, passed away of natural causes in Tulare, California, on April 13, 2007. Born in 1918 in Oklahoma, McDaniel fled the Dust Bowl during the great migration of Okies to California in the 1930s. McDaniel began writing as a young child. Her poems were widely recognized for the way they captured the life of the Okies as they built new lives in California. Pete Seeger wrote of her poems that they were “. . . little slices of real truth, to be long savored.” But her poetry also resonated with others who had been displaced or struggled with poverty. Her life was featured in numerous documentaries including the award-winning film, Down an Old Road: The Poetic Life of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel. The BBC also featured her in a documentary and National Geographic featured her in a story about the California Okies. She has written over 25 books of poetry and her poems have appeared in numerous textbooks and magazines. Gerald Haslam, a professor, writer, and promoter of Central Valley literary talent, wrote in an introduction to one of her collections, “Wilma’s poetry offers remarkable folk wisdom, revelations of the intimate braiding of her two states, and glimpses of life lived on the cusp of poverty where hope and hopelessness dance.” He says of her passing, “This is a great loss for literature in general and California in particular.” McDaniel lived in Livingston, Hanford, and Tulare. Museums in Livingston and Tulare have her childhood memorabilia displayed and her books for sale. The Kings County Library in Hanford has sponsored presentations of Wilma’s work, most recently in a retrospective on John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. FundingAlliance for California Traditional Arts' Traditional Arts Development ProgramDeadline: Ongoing ACTA’s Traditional Arts Development Program makes contracts up to $1,500 to support consultancies, mentorships, and travel opportunities that foster a new level of growth for individual folk & traditional artists and organizations engaged in this field in California. Requested services may be focused on organizational, program, and/or artistic development goals. Individual artists and cultural practitioners, as well as organizations, whether incorporated or not, may apply. A sampling of recent past contracts include: Artistic Mentorships Gen Taiko (San Francisco), an organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and presenting Japanese traditional arts including taiko (traditional Japanese drumming), traditional folk dance, and folk song forms. Its artistic director, Melody Takata, was trained by National Heritage Fellow Madame Fujima Kansuma to learn the Nihon Buyo (Japanese classical) dance called Kojo No Tsuki (Moonlit Castle Ruins). Ms. Takata taught the dance to four of her students and performed it at Gen Taiko’s 10th Anniversary Concert in November 2005. Organizational Consultancies: Kwashi Amevuvor (Los Angeles), a master drummer from Ghana, West Africa, worked with consultant Janet P***t, who assisted him with marketing and web design to develop professional promotional materials to publicize the work of the artist and the traditional cultural arts of Ghana. In addition, Ms. P***t’s consultancy supported Mr. Amevuvor’s efforts in organizing a cultural study tour of Ghana. Travel Opportunities The Eszterlánc Hungarian Folk Ensemble (Foster City) traveled to Southern California to perform for an audience of over two thousand at the annual Magyar Sajtónap (Hungarian Press Day) hosted by the newspaper California Hungarians. At this event Eszterlanc dancers had the opportunity to perform with members of the Karpatok Folk Ensemble of Southern California, which is led by Istvan Szabo. Requests for organizational consultancies, artistic mentoring, and travel support may be submitted to ACTA at any time. Download the application and application instructions from ACTA’s website or call (559) 237-9812 to request a copy be mailed to you. ACTA’s Traditional Arts Development Program is supported by grants from the California Arts Council, the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, and the National Endowment for the Arts. L.A. Treasures Award Deadline: Ongoing The California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) have announced the "Elaine Weissman L.A. Treasures Awards". This program supports folk and traditional performing and visual artists with $1,000 in funds for two public performances, workshops or exhibits - one planned by the award recipient, another chosen by DCA and CTMS. The Awards are named after Elaine Weissman, founder of CTMS and great promoter and supporter of folk and traditional arts, who passed away last year. An average of three L.A.Treasures Awards are given each month. For more information visit the California Traditional Music Society's website. The Guitar Center Music FoundationDeadline: Ongoing The Guitar Center Music Foundation’s mission is to aid nonprofit music programs across America that offer music instruction so that more people can experience the joys of making music. The Guitar Center Music Foundation accepts grant applications throughout the year from 501(c)(3) organizations that offer music instruction programs to participants of any age. The applicant program must successfully enhance the state of music education in the United States. The Grant Committee reviews all applications three times yearly, and grant awards range from $500 to $5,000. For more information visit the Guitar Center Music Foundation’s website. California Story FundDeadline: July 2, 2007The California Story Fund is an on-going grant program of the California Council for the Humanities (CCH). CCH will award competitive grants of up to $10,000 twice a year for public humanities programs that bring to light compelling stories from California's diverse communities and provide opportunities for collective reflection and public discussion. The CCH hopes the California Story Fund will encourage Californians from many communities to share their stories thus promoting greater understanding and appreciation of the richness and complexity of our state. Note: Due to the Council's new youth-focused campaign, 'How I See It', the Council is especially interested in projects that will engage California youth in interpreting and reflecting on their experience through humanities-based programming. Organizations serving youth are strongly encouraged to apply. Youth-oriented projects, like all projects for which California Story Fund funding is requested, must conform to the current guidelines to be competitive. Fore more information, including description of previously funded California Story Fund projects, please visit the CCH’s website. 2007 Emerging Composer Awards Deadline: August 24, 2007 The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation and the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation are pleased to announce its 2007 Emerging Composers Awards Program. The foundations will provide up to six grants of $50,000 each to nonprofit San Francisco Bay Area music and music presenting organizations, for the commission and premiere of major new musical compositions by California composers, ages 35 and younger at the time of application. These grants are part of a three-year $900,000 initiative by the Gerbode and Hewlett Foundations to support Bay Area performing artists and arts organizations at a time when funding has been increasingly difficult to come by. In 2005, the initiative funded six commissions for emerging choreographers and in 2006, six commissions for emerging playwrights. One half ($25,000) of each award will go to the composer as a commissioning fee. The remainder ($25,000) will go to the producing organization, for commission-related expenses for the work’s development and world premiere. The world premiere of all funded compositions will take place in the Bay Area between September 2008 and June 2010. The 2007 program will grant up to six awards of $50,000 to professionally-oriented musical organizations and presenters that are based in the counties of San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, San Mateo, or Santa Clara. Proposed commissions in any musical style (jazz, experimental, contemporary classical) or format (chamber, combo, orchestral, choir) will be accepted, but there must be a public premiere of the work(s) which makes it accessible to a general audience. Applications for the 2007 Emerging Composer Awards Program are currently available online. Completed applications must be submitted to the Gerbode Foundation no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, August 24, 2007. An advisory panel of music experts from around the U.S will review all the proposals, and final selections will be made by the Gerbode Foundation. Grantees will be announced in early January 2008. For more information contact the Gerbode Foundation’s Program Assistant, Olivia Malabuyo at (415) 391-0911 or via email. Opportunities & Resources Nonprofit Day 2007 Thursday, July 12, 2007 CompassPoint Nonprofit Services presents their annual professional development conference, Nonprofit Day 2007. No matter your level of experience or expertise, you will learn things that will help you in your job, are relevant to your organization, and will position you to have a greater impact on your community. Featuring keynote speaker Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and Good to Great and the Social Sectors. Sessions are categorized by content and your level of experience in the sector, tailoring them to your career stage and interest. For more information view the Nonprofit Day 2007 brochure. Register online at CompassPoint’s website. Online Training Course to Master Proposal WritingThe Foundation Center is hosting an online training course, titled Proposal Writing: The Statement of Need, to help grantseekers develop skills in constructing a compelling statement of need. The course includes interactive exercises and assignments, case studies, a final exam, and a printable certificate of completion. Lessons can be taken at any pace, and can be reviewed often. For more information visit the Foundation Center’s website. |
FEATURES ABOUT ACTA The Alliance for California Traditional Arts strives to "ensure California's future holds California's past" by providing programs and services to support the state's diverse living cultural heritage. The Alliance cultivates the growth of traditional arts and culture through Stewardship, Services to Artists, and Connection-Making. CONTACT ACTA Website: Staff: Sherwood Chen, Associate Director Lily Kharrazi, Living Cultures Grants Program Manager Suzanne Hildebrand, Administrative Coordinator BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Arroyo, V.P. of Finance & Administration Melanie Beene Jo Farb Hernandez, Secretary Joel Jacinto, Sojin Kim, Ph.D. Amy Kitchener (ex officio) Frank LaPena Malcolm Margolin Libby Maynard Chike Nwoffiah, V.P. of External Development Peter Pennekamp, Executive Director Charlie Seemann, Board President Daniel Sheehy, Ph.D. Deborah Wong, Ph.D. Honorary Bess Lomax Hawes FUNDERS
Symbols of Identity - Jewelry of Five Continents Native American Women's Creations Kumeyaay: Indigenous People of Southern California San Francisco 7th Annual Bulgarian Sts. Kiril and Methody Cultural Festival Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival Third Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration At the Crossroads: Music & Culture of the Mid East Academy of Chinese Performing Arts’ 2007 Annual Performance “Rep Yo Roots” – AYPAL TRAC 9th Annual May Arts Festival Youth for Youth World Music & Arts Fest 2007 – A Journey to China: Scholars, Goddesses, and Warriors San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival 2007 North African Dance Workshop with Aisha Ali La Loteria: Mexico en Fantasia Academy of Chinese Performing Arts’ 2007 Annual Performance Brazilian Summer Festival 2007 Kahena Ēwe III – Hawaiian Cultural Workshops Kahena Ēwe III – Hawaiian Cultural Workshops Chhandam School of Kathak 26th Annual School Performance
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