News
FOUNDATION PLANS GRANTS IN MEMORY OF HAZEL DICKENS AND CARLTON HANEY, Applications Being Accepted Through August 15, 2011
The bluegrass music world lost two important icons in 2011 in the persons of Hazel Dickens and Carlton Haney. In their memory, the Foundation for Bluegrass Music will be funding grants and/or scholarships this year and has set August 15, 2011 as the deadline to apply for these resources.
Hazel Dickens was a gifted singer and songwriter who paved the way for other women in bluegrass music as well as serving as a mentor to aspiring musicians and writers. Carlton Haney was the visionary businessman who produced the historic first weekend-long bluegrass music festival in 1965 that initiated the festival movement in bluegrass music. Both placed a high importance on nurturing young talents and supporting programs that enhanced the skills of the next generation. Both passed away this year, Dickens on April 22 and Haney on March 16.
“In the spirit of these two giants in American music, we will be dedicating funds to foster bluegrass artistic and business development efforts involving young people,” said Foundation president Greg Cahill. “We’re delighted to be in a position to memorialize Ms. Dickens and Mr. Haney in this way and we welcome donors who may want to help honor them in this fashion.”
A one-time fund of $10,000 has been earmarked with the following guidelines for applicants:
• Up to $5,000 (example – 2 grants at $2,500) in memory of Hazel Dickens to fund public projects and/or education scholarships that foster bluegrass “artistic” development involving deserving young people.
• Up to $5,000 (example – 2 grants at $2,500) in memory of Carlton Haney to fund public projects and/or education scholarships that foster bluegrass music “business” development involving deserving young people.
Applicants should clearly indicate whether their program is focused on “artistic” or “business” interests. If the applicant is a student applying for funds, they must demonstrate acceptance to and enrollment in an accredited program of study that fits the criteria and grants awarded will be made payable to their educational institution. This is a competitive application process and candidates must meet the Foundation’s Grant Application Guidelines as well as the special provisions outlined above. Grants awarded will be announced no later than October 31, 2011 with funds available after January 1, 2012.
Donations to the Foundation for these and related efforts are welcomed in any denomination and these grants will be funded regardless of donations received.
The Foundation for Bluegrass Music is a non-profit (501c3) organization created to serve as an “umbrella” under which funds may be placed and disbursed to support educational, literary and artistic activities related to bluegrass music, of public benefit. Examples of programs that can grow under this umbrella include Bluegrass in the Schools (grants, teacher workshops, educational DVD, lesson plan competition, etc.); academic conferences; literary work and related efforts; public artistic presentation of an educational nature; historic preservation; and other works of a charitable nature.
For more info, please contact:
Foundation for Bluegrass Music
2 Music Circle South – Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37203
615-256-3222
danh@ibma.org
FOUNDATION ADOPTS BLUEGRASS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM (2008)
Since the mid-1990’s, the bluegrass music community has made a priority of providing resources to expose young people to the music in a positive and educational way. Beginning in July 2008, the Foundation for Bluegrass Music will formally adopt the “Bluegrass in the Schools” program as a centerpiece of its public work and continue to expand on these goals.
Among the types of resources and programs available are:
- teacher workshops
- lesson plan competitions
- artist training in delivering educational programs
- grants to encourage in artist presentations in schools
- program implementation guides
- interactive DVD and web based resources
- general information services
Bluegrass in the Schools program chairperson, Tom Kopp, Phd, indicates these programs will continue much as they have under the industry leadership of the International Bluegrass Music Association, but since they are of public benefit they fit better under the organizational umbrella of the Foundation. “The transfer of these programs will allow gifts that support their progress to be made as tax deductible charitable donations. This also opens the door to new funding options through grants and gifts of support from other foundations, endowments and even government supported programs, “ notes Kopp.
In adopting the program the Foundation board also approved a budget of $24,700.00 for 2008/2009 spread among the initiatives above.
The programs popular “Discover Bluegrass” DVD which is now in over 4,000 educators hands around the world will continue to be available at the cost of reproduction of the DVD ($3.00) and the board will soon be examining ways to improve and expand the program.
Teacher workshops are ongoing and a Lesson Plan competition for 2008 will be announced soon.
Schools that wish to apply for Matching “Challenge” Grants to help bring performing artists into the classroom for educational presentations may apply for them throughout the year through the Foundation.
Members of the International Bluegrass Music Association and its staff are volunteering time to coordinate these efforts.