Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
Florida seeks to emphasize support of Jazz Music Presentation/Education
for the 2008-2009 National Endowment for the Arts American
Masterpieces program, following research and identification
of excellent quality jazz artists among university Jazz
Studies faculty in the state—especially in the geographic
areas of North Florida and the Big Bend. The program’s
goal is to encourage resident jazz artists teaching in
Florida universities to interact with their peers at other
universities, as well as to increase visibility and performance
opportunities for these artists beyond their schedules
of teaching responsibilities. Faculty artists and their
best students will bring masterworks from the canon of
American jazz into new territory for disadvantaged audiences,
interpreting those masterworks, and expanding jazz music
education in diverse settings. Projects will create effective
ways to inspire greater numbers of young people, and extend
appreciation of America’s jazz heritage to audiences
beyond the scope of urban performance venues.
Georgia Council for the Arts
In 2008, the Georgia Council for the Arts supports the
American Masterpieces initiative by providing funds
to Georgia arts organizations for chamber music and
choral projects highlighting American composers. Supported
organizations include Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde,
Augusta Symphony, Choral Society of Middle Georgia,
Collegium Vocale, Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts,
Ferst Center for the Arts, Golden Isles Arts and Humanities
Association, The Michael O'Neal Singers, RiverCenter,
Riverside Artsfest, and the Savannah Music Festival.
Kentucky Arts Council
The Kentucky Arts Council currently offers two American
Masterpieces projects: Uncommon Wealth: Legacy
of Kentucky Arts Council Visual Arts Fellowship Recipients
and
Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers.
Tennessee Arts Commission
The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Singing Our Song is a project
by the Tennessee Arts Commission under the American
Masterpieces initiative. This project highlights the
African-American spirituals as musical masterpieces
to which Tennessee, through the long and important history
of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, can make special claim.
Over several years, the project will sponsor concerts
by the Jubilee Singers throughout the state. There is
much to be rediscovered and celebrated in these American
masterpieces and in the 130-year heritage of this premier
ensemble.
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