(Honesdale, PA, December 17, 2014)\u2026 It\u2019s being described as \u201ca great 10th anniversary present!\u201d by the organizers of the Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival. The Festival was just awarded a $10,000 Challenge America Fast-Track grant from the National Endowment for the Arts\u2019 Art Works program. It was their first time applying for the honor.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTo say I\u2019m elated is an understatement,\u201d said Jamie Stunkard, the Roots & Rhythm board member who submitted the grant. \u201cIt\u2019s just a great honor for the Festival and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Challenge America program is geared to offer support to small and mid-size organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations, and according to Stunkard, Roots & Rhythm really met the criteria. \u201cWe\u2019re rural, we\u2019re wheelchair accessible, and we\u2019re free, so that people of any income level can attend and enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Festival Chairman Brian Fulp agreed\u2014this grant was a natural fit. \u201cWhen we started Roots & Rhythm we wanted to combine music and arts and offer it to a community that may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience it,\u201d said Fulp, adding \u201cI\u2019m excited about the grant, but I\u2019m also inspired by the community that embraced the opportunity we offered with Roots & Rhythm and helped us grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Roots & Rhythm was one of 919 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Art Works grant this fall.\u00a0 NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, \u201cI’m pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival. The arts foster value, connection, creativity and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival draws more than 5,000 people each year from all across Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The festival unfolds on a Saturday in June with local bands on Main Street in the morning and, in the afternoon, a solid lineup on the main stage in Central Park of four or five bands from around the country.<\/p>\n
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Stunkard hopes this award will open doors to more funding opportunities. \u201cWe had to provide a lot of material to support our application,\u201d said Stunkard, \u201cincluding three years of video clips of the musicians, musician biographies and several lengthy essays. We also had to show our funding structure for the past and going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
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While the NEA grant is sizeable, both Stunkard and Fulp say it\u2019s just a portion of what\u2019s needed to mount the Festival each year. Roots & Rhythm is possible largely because of local sponsors.<\/p>\n
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\u201cRoots & Rhythm would not be possible without the support of our local benefactors,\u201d explained Fulp. \u201cThis year, we plan to celebrate our 10-year history and our relationships with our sponsors. We want to make Roots & Rhythm bigger and better than ever, and we want them on board.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival in 2015 will take place on June 20, 2015 \u2013 rain or shine.\u00a0 Mark it on your calendars and check the website, www.honesdalerootsandrhythm.com<\/b><\/a> <\/b>, often for updated information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Contact: Lisa Champeau 570-253-8631<\/p>\n champeaulisa@gmail.com<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Deborah Bailey,\u00a0 570-251-1512<\/p>\n \u00a0baileyd@ptd.net<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (Honesdale, PA, December 17, 2014)\u2026 It\u2019s being described as \u201ca great 10th anniversary present!\u201d by the organizers of the Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival. The Festival was just awarded a $10,000 Challenge America Fast-Track grant from the National Endowment for the Arts\u2019 Art Works program. It was their first time applying for … <\/p>\n