L: Ofelia Esparza. Photo: Mark Markley/Craft in America; R: Marion Coleman. Photo: Nyls Jongewaard
Two California Artists to receive NEA National Heritage Fellowship
Congratulations to beloved California artists Ofelia Esparza (Los Angeles) and Marion Coleman(Castro Valley) who were named Wednesday, June 20th, as recipients of the 2018 National Heritage Fellowship, an annual program of the National Endowment for the Arts, and our nation's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. These Fellowships highlight the "breadth and excellence of the artistic traditions found in communities all across the United States." The addition of Ms. Esparza and Ms. Coleman mark a total of 45 Fellowship recipients from the state of California.
The Alliance for California Traditional Arts has proudly supported both Ofelia Esparza, a Chicana
altarista, and Marion Coleman, an African-American story quilter, through programming, professional development, and funding opportunities for several years. ACTA also played a role in supporting the nomination of these artists.
ACTA's 2019 Living Cultures and Apprenticeship Programs
Application deadlines for funding opportunities are just a week away!
LIVING CULTURES GRANT
Deadline to apply: JUNE 29, 2018
The Living Cultures Grant seeks to sustain and strengthen the folk and traditional arts in the state of California with grants of $5,000 to California-based nonprofits, as well as other organizations who work with fiscal sponsors.
To learn more about ACTA's Living Cultures Grants Program, click here.
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Deadline to apply: JUNE 29, 2018
The Apprenticeship Program encourages the continuity of California's traditional arts and cultures by contracting master artists to offer intensive, one-on-one training to qualified apprentices. Each $3,000 contract will support a period of concentrated learning for apprentices demonstrate a committed engagement with and talent for a specific folk and traditional art form or practice.
To learn more about ACTA's Apprenticeship Program, click here.
This Sunday, June 24: Farewell Party for ACTA's Lily Kharrazi
Join us in celebrating the contributions of our tireless departing Program Manager, Lily Kharrazi. Lily has served California artists and cultural communities with ACTA for 14 extraordinary years, modeling deep and impactful advocacy for our traditional artists, building dynamic forums for cross-cultural dialogue,
and influencing the practice of cultural work, alike.
We will be celebrating Lily with light refreshments, art shares, and conviviality the evening of June 24 (4-6 pm) at BrasArte Cultural Center in Berkeley.
