Cultural Envoy Program for US Artists

WHAT: Cultural Envoy Program
WHERE: Various
WHEN: 26 February 2010 and 31 July 2010.
WHO: US Artists (Disciplines: Theater, Modern Dance, Hip-Hop, Music, Film, intellectual property protection, literature, Humanities, video art, sculpture, painting, the preservation of cultural heritage, conservation, museum administration and arts management)


DESCRIPTION:

The Cultural Envoy Program is designed to support project in which an American can have an in-depth relationship with a cultural or educational institution through intensive interaction with a cultural or educational institution through intensive interaction with foreign participants over an extended period of time. Through various teaching methods, the Envoy is expected to help improve the foreign participant’s professional performance level and understanding of American techniques or approaches in a given field. Projects are also expected to include dynamic parallel or complementary outreach to the broader community, particularly to youth, minorities and/or undeserved audience. Depending on the Envoy’s field of interest, A performance that is ancillary to the overall program and which helps extend outreach is appropriate and will enhance the PD value. Proposals must address Post-Specific as well as overall PD goals and objectives.


PROGRAM TIME FRAME
The Cultural Envoy Program is supports 10-day to six week programs for one or two American performing/visual artists, art educators and arts managers to conduct innovative projects through workshops, master classes, lecture demonstrations, seminars, or other training and mentoring for younger professionals. Exceptionally, shorter programs are approved, but strong justification and detailed schedule will be necessary from post to ensure the Envoy Programs is not being used in lieu of the speaker program.


DISCIPLINES
Envoy Program can be conducted in diverse field including Theater, Modern Dance, Hip-Hop, Music, Film, intellectual property protection, literature, Humanities, video art, sculpture, painting, the preservation of cultural heritage, conservation, museum administration and arts management. Other cultural fields can be considered with strong justification and clear ties to MSP goals and objectives.


PROGRAM POSSIBILITIES
The Cultural Envoy Program provides posts with an excellent framework to think creatively about culture as a way to reach out to specific audiences and help attain mission strategic goals. Some successful past projects include: A muralist who conducted workshops and seminars for local at-risk Youth – the program served to inspire the young people, improve the urban landscape, and restore the city’s social core; a theater specialist who presented workshops and master classes on Broadway hits for youth theater groups who subsequently performed for larger audiences. Collaborative programs – those that combine American talent in two complementary fields – can also expand posts’ outreach efforts: E.G., A Hip-Hop musician paired with a dancer or choreographer to conduct workshops for women victims of civil disruption and violence.


PROGRAM REQUEST NARRATIVE
Program requests should include a clear description of project objectives, including Program Outcome(s); The audience expected to be reached; the type of work the Cultural Envoy is expected to do; background on partner institution (s) and on participants with whom the Envoy will be working, and; Media Strategy.


OUTREACH
The Program should include additional components designed to reach out beyond the artistic community to the broader community, particularly to underserved populations and youth. We encourage posts to be creative in designing their programs to meet these goals. One example could be to arrange for the Cultural Envoy to conduct a master class on American music or dance at local public school. Another would be to invite these classes to attend a rehearsal prior to opening night, at which time the American musician can engage the students in a conversation about the play.


FUNDING
Funding is available to U.S. CITIZEN CULTURAL ENVOYS ONLY, include international travel, which is coach/economy fare, Honorarium of $200 per day and an allowance for miscellaneous and educational expense, and covers health insurance for the Envoy. Per diem or housing and M&IE art the post’s or local sponsor’s responsibility.

Email: katechen@artistvillage.org
Website: www.artistvillage.org