The Foundation For Bluegrass Music, a non-profit (501c3) organization supporting educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation efforts in bluegrass, has announced their grants for 2015.
$2,000 funding grants will be made this year to the following entities:
- Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM inc.) in Independence, VA – JAM affiliated programs seek to provide small group instruction for young students in the various musical forms native to the Appalachian region. They also make instruments available to loan the students.
- Toe River Arts Council, Bringing Bluegrass Back Home in Burnsville, NC – a group of volunteer musicians who rehearse weekly and perform for community events and concerts in the area.
- West Virginia University, West Virginia University Bluegrass and Old-Time Instruction in Morgantown, WV – WVU now has a student bluegrass band which rears weekly on campus, directed by Travis Stimeling, assistant professor of music history.
- Wheeling Park High School Bluegrass Bands in Wheeling, WV – Wheeling Park offers a school bluegrass band as an alternative to marching and concert bands.
Mark Panfil, Chairperson for the Foundation for Bluegrass Music, said that…
“We were very happy to receive so many very worthwhile applications for our grants this year. It encourages us to hear of the many places, throughout the country, where people are working to spread Bluegrass music, but it also makes the decision process so difficult for the members of this board. We believe the programs that we chose focus most directly on Bluegrass music, and addressed specific needs as identified by the board in the Bluegrass music community.
We would like to thank all of the organizations that applied this year and encourage those who we couldn’t manage to help with funding to re-apply next year.”
To be considered for a future grant from the Foundation For Bluegrass Music, please read their criteria online and complete the application on that page. Applications must be received by December 1 to be considered for 2016.
