Recently in Arts & Culture Category
Last month, eleven national foundations plus the National Endowment for the Arts announced the founding of ArtPlace America,
a nationwide initiative to drive revitalization in cities and towns
with a new investment model that puts the arts at the center of economic
development. The launch of Artplace,
based in Chicago, coincided with the awarding of $11.5 million in
grants to 34 community-oriented arts organizations nationwide. read the full story here.
From the editorial "The remarkable story of space pioneer Dr. Wernher von Braun" by John Peck in The Huntsville Times:
There's the public side and the personal side of German-turned-American rocket scientist Dr. Wernher von Braun. Most people know his public side. Now, in an extensive display of artifacts, personal items and historical documents, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville is showcasing the life of the man known globally as the father of the American space program. The "100 Years of Von Braun: His American Journey," opened last week and will run through May. Museum officials are working with schools to schedule field trips. Huntsville-area residents can use this chance to learn about the person largely credited with transforming Huntsville into a major hub for aerospace and defense work. The exhibit is the brainchild of the space museum's new director, Dr. Deborah Barnhart.Von Braun died on June 16, 1977, at age 65 after a stellar career at NASA and later at a private satellite firm. His 100th birthday would be March 23, 2012.
"This is a story every American should know," Barnhart said last week. "It takes visitors through von Braun's American experience from the surrender at the end of World War II through their historic moon landing. This authentic and respectful story of his accomplishment also unveils the personal look at the man behind them - father, musician, sportsman and celebrity." Visitors will delight in seeing family photographs of his life in Huntsville. One collection shows von Braun along with other German colleagues being sworn in as American citizens in the Huntsville High School auditorium on April 14, 1955. Items from his home in the Blossomwood area include books, his telescope and toys of his children. There's a setup of his Marshall Space Flight Center office and collections of various personal keepsakes. There are videos of him with presidents John Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower in their visits to Huntsville, diagramming spaceflight sequences and making congressional appeals during the height of the space race.
As visitors stroll by the kiosks across the museum's main floor, they can trace von Braun's path from his boyhood days and missile work in Germany to his dramatic surrender to the Americans as allied forces were closing in. One enlarged photo, taken near the time of surrender, shows von Braun with his left arm still in a sling from a vehicle accident while rushing to a mountain hideout just days before. His brother, Magnus - chosen because of his English speaking skills - rode a bicycle (also on display) to surrender to American troops in Ruette, Austria, on May 2, 1945. There are historic photographs and films of von Braun and 117 other German missilemen living at Fort Bliss, Texas, and their transfer to Redstone Arsenal in 1950. The exhibit also educates viewers about the efforts by local leaders like Army Gen. Holger Toftoy to steer the U.S. missile program to Redstone.
There's a life-size model of a V-2, an authentic captured blueprint of an enemy missile design, and footage of German missile parts being whisked by train to the Americans. There are models of various spacecraft and interviews that portray von Braun's life as a public figure in the heyday of the space race, including his work with Walt Disney on space films to drum up public support. Sprinkled throughout the exhibit are blowup quotes of von Braun's witticisms that give a sense not only of his communicating skills but of his no-nonsense management style. "One test result is worth one thousand expert opinions," reads one. "Our two greatest problems are gravity and paperwork. We can lick gravity but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming," reads another. Then there's this: "I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest of caution." Von Braun looked beyond what many thought was impossible. And America is much better because of it. For more information on the Wernher von Braun exhibit please see http://www.ussrc.com/mu/travexh.
For the complete editorial please see http://blog.al.com/times-views/2011/10/the_remarkable_story_of_space.html.
There's the public side and the personal side of German-turned-American rocket scientist Dr. Wernher von Braun. Most people know his public side. Now, in an extensive display of artifacts, personal items and historical documents, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville is showcasing the life of the man known globally as the father of the American space program. The "100 Years of Von Braun: His American Journey," opened last week and will run through May. Museum officials are working with schools to schedule field trips. Huntsville-area residents can use this chance to learn about the person largely credited with transforming Huntsville into a major hub for aerospace and defense work. The exhibit is the brainchild of the space museum's new director, Dr. Deborah Barnhart.Von Braun died on June 16, 1977, at age 65 after a stellar career at NASA and later at a private satellite firm. His 100th birthday would be March 23, 2012.
"This is a story every American should know," Barnhart said last week. "It takes visitors through von Braun's American experience from the surrender at the end of World War II through their historic moon landing. This authentic and respectful story of his accomplishment also unveils the personal look at the man behind them - father, musician, sportsman and celebrity." Visitors will delight in seeing family photographs of his life in Huntsville. One collection shows von Braun along with other German colleagues being sworn in as American citizens in the Huntsville High School auditorium on April 14, 1955. Items from his home in the Blossomwood area include books, his telescope and toys of his children. There's a setup of his Marshall Space Flight Center office and collections of various personal keepsakes. There are videos of him with presidents John Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower in their visits to Huntsville, diagramming spaceflight sequences and making congressional appeals during the height of the space race.
As visitors stroll by the kiosks across the museum's main floor, they can trace von Braun's path from his boyhood days and missile work in Germany to his dramatic surrender to the Americans as allied forces were closing in. One enlarged photo, taken near the time of surrender, shows von Braun with his left arm still in a sling from a vehicle accident while rushing to a mountain hideout just days before. His brother, Magnus - chosen because of his English speaking skills - rode a bicycle (also on display) to surrender to American troops in Ruette, Austria, on May 2, 1945. There are historic photographs and films of von Braun and 117 other German missilemen living at Fort Bliss, Texas, and their transfer to Redstone Arsenal in 1950. The exhibit also educates viewers about the efforts by local leaders like Army Gen. Holger Toftoy to steer the U.S. missile program to Redstone.
There's a life-size model of a V-2, an authentic captured blueprint of an enemy missile design, and footage of German missile parts being whisked by train to the Americans. There are models of various spacecraft and interviews that portray von Braun's life as a public figure in the heyday of the space race, including his work with Walt Disney on space films to drum up public support. Sprinkled throughout the exhibit are blowup quotes of von Braun's witticisms that give a sense not only of his communicating skills but of his no-nonsense management style. "One test result is worth one thousand expert opinions," reads one. "Our two greatest problems are gravity and paperwork. We can lick gravity but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming," reads another. Then there's this: "I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest of caution." Von Braun looked beyond what many thought was impossible. And America is much better because of it. For more information on the Wernher von Braun exhibit please see http://www.ussrc.com/mu/travexh.
For the complete editorial please see http://blog.al.com/times-views/2011/10/the_remarkable_story_of_space.html.
ALEXANDER CITY
Thursday, August 4 - Field Trip & Tour, Robinson Iron Works
(For details, see Mobile, Field Trip, Robinson Iron Works below.)
BIRMINGHAM
Monday, August 1 - Wednesday, August 31 - A Stitch In Time: Southern Quilts in the African-American Tradition
Exhibition of quilts by African-American fiber artists of the Deep South. Quilts on exhibit are drawn from the permanent American quilt collection held by the Birmingham Museum of Art. Quilt artists featured include, among others, Alabama's Nora Ezell, Yvonne Wells, Chris Clark and the Freedom Quilting Bee artists. Admission Free. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd (formerly 8th Avenue North). Exhibition runs through December 31. For more information and museum hours, call 205-254-2565 or visit www.artsbma.org.
Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 26 - The Music Lives On: Folk Song Traditions Told by Alabama Artists
Exhibition of visual works by Alabama artists Lonnie Holley, Joe Minter, Charlie Lucas and Thornton Dial depicting Alabama's musical traditions and performers of blues, bluegrass, jazz and country. Admission: Adults $6, Seniors $5, Children 5 - 12 Yrs. $4, Children 4 Yrs and younger Free. Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham. Sponsored by Vulcan Park and Museum and the Alabama Humanities Foundation. For more information and museum hours, call 205-933-1409.
Thursday, August 4 - Field Trip & Tour, Robinson Iron Works
(For details, see Mobile, Field Trip, Robinson Iron Works below.)
BIRMINGHAM
Monday, August 1 - Wednesday, August 31 - A Stitch In Time: Southern Quilts in the African-American Tradition
Exhibition of quilts by African-American fiber artists of the Deep South. Quilts on exhibit are drawn from the permanent American quilt collection held by the Birmingham Museum of Art. Quilt artists featured include, among others, Alabama's Nora Ezell, Yvonne Wells, Chris Clark and the Freedom Quilting Bee artists. Admission Free. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd (formerly 8th Avenue North). Exhibition runs through December 31. For more information and museum hours, call 205-254-2565 or visit www.artsbma.org.
Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 26 - The Music Lives On: Folk Song Traditions Told by Alabama Artists
Exhibition of visual works by Alabama artists Lonnie Holley, Joe Minter, Charlie Lucas and Thornton Dial depicting Alabama's musical traditions and performers of blues, bluegrass, jazz and country. Admission: Adults $6, Seniors $5, Children 5 - 12 Yrs. $4, Children 4 Yrs and younger Free. Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham. Sponsored by Vulcan Park and Museum and the Alabama Humanities Foundation. For more information and museum hours, call 205-933-1409.
Continue reading Historic Preservation Events.
Radio stations across the state are broadcasting announcements about the Year of Alabama Music songwriters contest. The announcements started playing in April and will continue through mid-May. Grey Brennan Marketing and Regional Director, Alabama Tourism Department and Sharon Tinsley, Executive Director of the Alabama Broadcasters Association went on a media tour across the state to promote the songwriters contest. They visited TV and radio stations in Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery during the week of April 18th and stations in Dothan and Mobile during the week of May 2nd. Brennan conducted over a dozen interviews in the five major broadcast markets.
Interest in The Year of Alabama Music Songwriters Contest has increased as the May 20 deadline to enter the contest approaches. There have been almost 1,000 visits to the contest section of The Year of Alabama Music website with dozens of songwriters downloading the entry forms. The final competition for the songwriters contest will be July 25 at the W. C. Handy Festival in The Shoals area of North Alabama. Application forms and rules for the songwriters contest can be found at http://www.yearofalabamamusic.com/songwriters.
Interest in The Year of Alabama Music Songwriters Contest has increased as the May 20 deadline to enter the contest approaches. There have been almost 1,000 visits to the contest section of The Year of Alabama Music website with dozens of songwriters downloading the entry forms. The final competition for the songwriters contest will be July 25 at the W. C. Handy Festival in The Shoals area of North Alabama. Application forms and rules for the songwriters contest can be found at http://www.yearofalabamamusic.com/songwriters.
Tuesday, May 17th
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
7:30 p.m
The evening will include performances honoring each of the award recipients.
The event is FREE and open to the public, but tickets MUST be reserved.
For information about the award recipients click here
NOTE: Complimentary tickets are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis. Contact the ASF Box Office at 334-271-5353
This year's recipients include artists, community arts leaders, arts educators and a former First Lady. Their contribution over a sustained period has greatly enhanced the cultural landscape in Alabama. They are:
The program of the evening will celebrate "The Year of Alabama Music" and performers for the event will begin with David Hood & the Decoys and Eddie Floyd. David Hood & the Decoys are a rock n' roll band, featuring five of the most seasoned musicians anywhere. David Hood, bass guitarist, was a member of the world famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, better known as "The Swampers", made famous in the song "Sweet Home Alabama." David has played on a list of albums that reads like a who's who of the music industry, such as Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, The Staple Singers, Paul Simon, Traffic, and many more. David was recently inducted, along with the rest of "The Swampers," into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN.
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
7:30 p.m
The evening will include performances honoring each of the award recipients.
The event is FREE and open to the public, but tickets MUST be reserved.
For information about the award recipients click here
NOTE: Complimentary tickets are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis. Contact the ASF Box Office at 334-271-5353
This year's recipients include artists, community arts leaders, arts educators and a former First Lady. Their contribution over a sustained period has greatly enhanced the cultural landscape in Alabama. They are:
- Joe McInnes, Montgomery - The Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Award
- Rebecca Luker, Birmingham/New York - Alabama's Distinguished Artist Award
- Dale Kennington, Dothan - Governor's Arts Award
- Dr. Henry Panion, III, Birmingham - Governor's Arts Award
- Sena Jeter Naslund, Birmingham/Louisville - Governor's Arts Award
- Joyce Cauthen, Birmingham - Governor's Arts Award
- James Bryan, Mentone - The Alabama Folk Heritage Award
- Former First Lady Patsy Riley, Montgomery/Ashland - Special Council Award
The program of the evening will celebrate "The Year of Alabama Music" and performers for the event will begin with David Hood & the Decoys and Eddie Floyd. David Hood & the Decoys are a rock n' roll band, featuring five of the most seasoned musicians anywhere. David Hood, bass guitarist, was a member of the world famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, better known as "The Swampers", made famous in the song "Sweet Home Alabama." David has played on a list of albums that reads like a who's who of the music industry, such as Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, The Staple Singers, Paul Simon, Traffic, and many more. David was recently inducted, along with the rest of "The Swampers," into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN.
Selling Long Haul, a leading training magazine for tour operators and travel agents on international travel from the United Kingdom, features a 4-page section on the south in their February issue. A big plus for Alabama is a copy insert headline in the article that reads - Premier Holidays, America As You Like It and Complete North America now offer Alabama music tours. "The Alabama tourism's representatives in the U.K., Venessa Alexander and Della Tully, have worked diligently to get music tours in place for The Year of Alabama Music," said Grey Brennan, Marketing and Regional Director with the Alabama Tourism Department. "The bold insert copy highlights that fact. Other UK tour companies will take note which should build even more interest in Alabama as a music destination," Brennan said.
The article also promotes the Alabama tourism's new brochure 100 places to hear live music in Alabama with a bullet point at the beginning of the section and and later with the copy: "Alabama's Year of Music campaign (www.alabama.travel/yom) launched in January with a 100 places to hear live music in Alabama brochure listing the state's top music attractions including the FAME recording studios, two Hank Williams museums and Alabama's music and jazz halls of fame."
For an on-line version of the article (the article begins on page 34) please see http://content.yudu.com/A1qx58/SLHFeb11/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fsellinglonghaul.com%2Findex.php. For more information on the Alabama Tourism Department's international marketing efforts contact grey.brennan@tourism.alabama.gov.
The article also promotes the Alabama tourism's new brochure 100 places to hear live music in Alabama with a bullet point at the beginning of the section and and later with the copy: "Alabama's Year of Music campaign (www.alabama.travel/yom) launched in January with a 100 places to hear live music in Alabama brochure listing the state's top music attractions including the FAME recording studios, two Hank Williams museums and Alabama's music and jazz halls of fame."
For an on-line version of the article (the article begins on page 34) please see http://content.yudu.com/A1qx58/SLHFeb11/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fsellinglonghaul.com%2Findex.php. For more information on the Alabama Tourism Department's international marketing efforts contact grey.brennan@tourism.alabama.gov.
Music as varied as the blues at the Johnny Shines Festival, Boogie Woogie on 280 and country music on Lake Martin make the list of 50 "must attend" events scheduled during the Year of Alabama Music. More than 200 festivals offer live music during the Year of Alabama Music including 50 that attract visitors from around the world. From live concerts on Alabama's beaches and music festivals like Jubilee Cityfest in Montgomery and Bayfest in Mobile to the Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens and "Abalabip" in Birmingham, visitors can explore every genre of music in Alabama.
More than ten events honor Alabama's music legends, such as the Hank Williams Festival in his hometown of Georgiana; the Hank Williams Birthday Celebration in Montgomery; and the 30th annual W.C. Handy Music Festival in Florence to name a few. The late Frank Brown, a watchman at the roadhouse beach bar Flora-Bama for 27 years, has an 11-day music festival that bears his name and features more than 200 legendary and upcoming songwriters in Orange Beach. Newer festivals honor artists that include the Delmore Brothers, bluesmen Willie King and Johnny Shines.
The Alabama Tourism Department suggests the following list of 50 festivals dedicated to live music as must-attend music events for 2011.
Continue reading 50 Must-See Music Festivals in Alabama .
Nomination forms are now available for the three awards presented by the Alabama alliance for Arts Education each year. One goal of the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education is to recognize innovation and achievement. The Alliance acknowledges individuals, schools, and organizations that demonstrate outstanding support for the arts and arts education. The submissions deadline is Monday, August 30, 2010. Recipients will be honored during an awards dinner, which will be held October 6, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the Arts Education Summit at the University of Alabama, Hotel Capstone.
IMPACT AWARD - This award is given to an organization for outstanding commitment and dedication to children and the arts for innovative and creative programming, curriculum, teaching, and/or presenting.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD - This award is given to an individual who is a champion of arts education, an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment and dedication to children and arts education.
ARTS ADVOCACY AWARD - This award is given to recognize the accomplishments of an individual whose advocacy efforts have significantly increased support for arts education.
For more information visit www.alaae.org or contact Donna Russell, Executive Director at
334-269-1435 or aaae@bellsouth.net.
IMPACT AWARD - This award is given to an organization for outstanding commitment and dedication to children and the arts for innovative and creative programming, curriculum, teaching, and/or presenting.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD - This award is given to an individual who is a champion of arts education, an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment and dedication to children and arts education.
ARTS ADVOCACY AWARD - This award is given to recognize the accomplishments of an individual whose advocacy efforts have significantly increased support for arts education.
For more information visit www.alaae.org or contact Donna Russell, Executive Director at
334-269-1435 or aaae@bellsouth.net.
The Coming Up Taller Awards recognize and support outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people, provide them learning opportunities and chances to contribute to their communities. These awards focus national attention on exemplary programs currently fostering the creative and intellectual development of America's children and youth through education and practical experience in the arts and the humanities. Accompanied by a cash award, the Coming Up Taller Awards not only reward these projects with recognition, but also contribute significant support to their continued work.
Deadline: January 29, 2010
Maximum Award: $10,000
Number Of Awards: 19
Period: Award.
More Information:
Coming Up Taller Awards
President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 526
Washington, DC 20506
Phone: 202-682-5409)
URL: http://www.pcah.gov/cut.htm
NEA
Deadline: January 29, 2010
Maximum Award: $10,000
Number Of Awards: 19
Period: Award.
More Information:
Coming Up Taller Awards
President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 526
Washington, DC 20506
Phone: 202-682-5409)
URL: http://www.pcah.gov/cut.htm
NEA
The Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) awarded 179 grants totaling $2,155,865 at its meeting in Alexander City on September 11, 2009. This round of grants will support arts in education, folk art, community, literature, performing, and visual arts programs October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010. Also included in this round of awards are operating support grants for major art institutions. ASCA funds are matched by contributions from businesses, individuals, local government and earned income by the grantee. Arts programs, assisted by Council grants, have a track record of contributing to community development, education, cultural tourism and overall quality of life in virtually all regions of the state. The Alabama State Council on the Arts is the official state arts agency of Alabama. The staff of the Council, directed by Al Head, administers the grants programs and provides technical assistance in arts planning and programming. The Council receives its support through an annual appropriation from the Alabama Legislature and funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
For more information see http://www.arts.state.al.us/
Thanks to Brian Jones with the Alabama Tourism Department for this and other news!
For more information see http://www.arts.state.al.us/
Thanks to Brian Jones with the Alabama Tourism Department for this and other news!
The Alabama State Council on the Arts presents the "Celebration of the Arts" awards Wednesday, May 13 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Renaissance Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. Dot Moore from Guntersville will receive the Jonnie Dee Riley Little Lifetime Achievement Award. Beth Nielsen Chapman from Montgomery/Nashville will receive the Distinguished Artist Award. Dr. Mabry Miller from Huntsville, Hugh Williams from Auburn, Alvin Sella from Tuscaloosa and Ward Swingle from Mobile France will receive the Governor's Arts Award. Kathryn Tucker Windham from Selma will be recognized with the Living Legacy Award and Willie King will posthumously receive the Alabama Folk Heritage Award.
For more information see www.arts.state.al.us
For more information see www.arts.state.al.us
