From: Michael Sartisky <msartisky@leh.org>
Subject: News from LEH
Reply: msartisky@leh.org


September 2009 e-Newsletter
Cultural Vistas wins 2009 press club awards

The LEH's acclaimed feature magazine Louisiana Cultural Vistas received eight New Orleans Press Club awards during the press club's recent annual ceremonies in New Orleans.  The awards included:

Multi-feature Photo Category:
1st Place - Robert Polidori for "After the Flood," which also won the Hal Ledet Print Photography Award for best photography in all categories.
2nd Place (tie) - Michael P. Smith for "The Enduring Performance of Michael P. Smith," and Sandra Burshell for "Eye of the Storm."
3rd Place - Donn Young for "40 Days and 40 Nights."

Column:
2nd Place - Jessica Harris for "Louisiana Foodways."

Critical Review:
3rd Place - Ben Sandmel for "The roots and radicalism of rap music."

Entertainment News:
Honorable Mention - Jason Berry for "The Enduring Performance of Michael P. Smith."

Since 1992, Louisiana Cultural Vistas has received 96 New Orleans Press Club awards, including 7 first-place honors as Best Publication.

The fall 2009 issue of LCV will debut in mid-September. The cover story is a profile of John Biguenet, an LEH board member, author and playwright renowned for his trilogy of Katrina-themed plays. Other features will include a photo essay by Lori Waselchuk on the hospice program for inmates at Angola State Penitentiary; a biography of cookbook author Mary Land; and excerpts from Tim Gautreaux's new novel, The Missing.

To purchase your gift subscriptions to Louisiana Cultural Vistas online, please click on www.leh.org for the order form or contact Jan Clifford at clifford@leh.org or call 504-620-2630.
PRIME TIME trains teams for French programs

Program coordinators, scholars, and storytellers who were selected to work with the Fall 2009 French pilot sites were trained at the July 2009 Training Workshop.  The French team members learned all about their PRIME TIME roles as well as the unique nature of their fall programs.  The workshop also served as an opportunity for the team members to meet one another, the PRIME TIME staff, and contacts at the French Consulate.  Aude Ghespiere, Attachée de cooperation at the New Orleans French Consulate and a key fundraiser for the project also attended the workshop to assist and support the trainees. Click here for the full press release.  

Funding for the project was provided by the following: The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Consulat General of France in New Orleans, Embassy of France/French Cultural Services, La Fondation Louisiane, Fondation CODOFIL, and Louisiana State University. Contact Miranda Restovic for more information.

Fall 2009 French Programs:
Lafayette
Prairie Elementary
Sept. 15 - Oct. 20
Tuesdays @ 6 p.m.
Program Coordinator:  Gwen Lewis
Scholar:  Jennifer Miguez
Storyteller:  Valerie Broussard

Houma
Lafourche Parish Public Library
Sept. 16 - Oct. 21
Wednesdays @ 6 p.m.
Program Coordinator:  Allison Clark
Scholar:  Robin White
Storyteller:  Mel Baudoin

New Orleans
International School
Oct. 20 - Nov. 24
Tuesdays @ 5:30 p.m.
Program Coordinator:  Pamela Stewart
Scholar:  Robin White
Storyteller:  Katy Ancelet
PRIME TIME travels state for the 10th annual LALAMP tour

The Louisiana Library & Media Professional (LALAMP) group will host their annual tour Sept. 14-18, 2009.  PRIME TIME staff will join other exhibitors to meet librarians from around the state and to survey these professionals about their programming needs.  In Louisiana approximately 50 percent of the PRIME TIME programs are implemented in schools.
 
This organization was created ten years ago to provide Louisiana librarians with opportunities to continue their professional development, and to offer additional resources through exhibits and workshops. Dtes, sites, and attending staff members for LALAMP 2009 are listed below.  Details about ocations and programs are available at www.lalamp.org.
  • Sept.14 - New Orleans Area (Miranda Restovic and Shantrell Adams)
  • Sept.15 - Baton Rouge Area (Dr. Olivia Pass)
  • Sept.16 - Lake Charles Area (Dr. Olivia Pass)
  • Sept.17 - Alexandria Area (Faye Flanagan)
  • Sept.18 - Ruston Area (Dianne Brady)
July 2009 PRIME TIME training workshop a success

The July 18 - 19, 2009 PRIME TIME Training Workshop was a great success.  Due to cuts in the LEH's state funding, the workshop was smaller than usual, hosting approximately 40 participants from Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.  The trainees joined the PRIME TIME staff and experienced consultants at the Louisiana Humanities Center for two days of intense instruction and practice on the program's model, methodology and implementation strategies. The weekend proved to be enlightening and fun as participants left New Orleans well-prepared for their PRIME TIME programs set to take place during Fall 2009.  

The LEH and PRIME TIME staff wish to thank the Loews New Orleans and Hilton St. Charles Avenue Hotels for partnering with us on this event.  For additional details on future PRIME TIME training opportunities, contact Shantrell Adams.
Teacher Institutes for Advanced Study proposals sought

The LEH invites Louisiana university faculty members to submit proposals for the Oct. 1 Teacher Institutes for Advanced Study deadline. Proposals focusing on literature and world history are particularly encouraged. Draft Teacher Institute proposals were due Sept. 1 for grants exceeding $30,000.

Since 1985, the LEH has sponsored 214 intensive summer seminars for more than 4,120 elementary, middle and high school teachers, who in turn teach approximately 500,000 students annually. Teacher Institutes for Advanced Study provide elementary and secondary classroom teachers with additional professional training and intellectual stimulation in the humanities. The Teacher Institute experience is an opportunity for teachers to work closely with professional humanities scholars. Ultimately, Louisiana's students benefit from teachers with advanced knowledge in their respective fields. The 2010 institutes will take place in June and July. The LEH invites proposals designed for elementary and secondary teachers.

For more information, contact program officer Erik Charpentier, PhD, at 800-909-7990 x125 or charpentier@leh.org.
Upcoming LEH-supported events

Baton Rouge: The Louisiana Art and Science Museum presents Starry Messenger: Galileo's Vision in 21st Century Art, an exhibition of paintings, digital art, graphics, and sculpture in glass and bronze. Offered in conjunction with interpretive text, an exhibition catalogue and humanities-based public programs that explore the historical, scientific and cultural impact of Galileo Galilei, the exhibition observes the International Year of Astronomy, scheduled to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the invention of the telescope. Those attending the 24th annual Louisiana Art and Science Museum Gala on September 25 will enjoy a preview of the exhibition, which opens to the public September 26. The Louisiana Art and Science Museum is located at 100 River Road South. For more information, contact 225-344-5272.

Kenner: The City of Kenner and the Cannes Brûlées Native American Museum present the second in a series of interpretive public programs showcasing the traditional culture of Native American tribes of Louisiana and the Southeast. Scholars and tradition-bearers will present a program on Louisiana Native American tools, weapons, woodcarvings, dugouts and hides from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, September 19 at the Rivertown Exhibition Hall, 415 Williams Boulevard, Kenner. Four additional programs are scheduled through June 2010. For more information, contact 504-468-7231.
 
Metairie: The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival presents the second in a series of library discussions during its 8th annual Coffee and Conversations at the Jefferson Parish Public Library. "Sweet Life in the Crescent City," a public discussion featuring New Orleans authors Peggy Scott Laborde of WYES-TV and John Magill of The Historic New Orleans Collection, will explore the area's famous wintertime traditions and celebrate the landmarks and traditions that make New Orleans "one in a million." The event is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. September 16 at the Jefferson Parish - East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Ave. For more information, contact 504-581-1144.

New Orleans: The Newcomb Art Gallery at Tulane University presents American Letterpress: The Art of the Hatch Show Print, an exhibition created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in cooperation with the Country Music Hall of Fame. The exhibition celebrates a time-honored American graphic art tradition through the work of Nashville's Hatch Show Print, one of the nation's oldest continuously operating printing shops. Offered in conjunction with the exhibition is a public panel discussion intended to localize and expand upon the exhibition's themes entitled, "Value of the Poster: Music, Culture and Traditions." Moderated by S. Marquette Folley of the Smithsonian Institution, the panel features renowned local musicologists Dr. Bruce Raeburn of Tulane University, Dr. Michael White of Xavier University, Dr. Nick Spitzer of the nationally syndicated roots music radio broadcast American Routes, and widely published music journalist Ben Sandmel. The panel discussion is scheduled for 6 p.m. September 30 at the Freeman Auditorium, Tulane University, New Orleans. The exhibition is on display through Oct. 11. For more information, contact 504-865-5328.

Shreveport: The Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College presents Magnificent, Marvelous Martele: American Art Nouveau Silver from the Collection of Jolie and Robert Shelton, an exhibition featuring Martele silver pieces from the world's most comprehensive collection assembled by a Louisiana couple. A gallery talk with the Sheltons entitled, "The Making of the Martele Collection," is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. September 13. Presented as part of a year-long exhibition series entitled, "Uniquely Louisiana: Collectors, Curators and Artists," the Martele collection will be on display from September 13-November 8. The Meadows Museum of Art is located on the campus of Centenary College, 2911 Centenary Boulevard. For more information, contact 318-869-5040.
KnowLA Online Encyclopedia

The KnowLA staff is currently working closely with the Louisiana State Museum to identify images for encyclopedia entries. Beth Sherwood, curator of loan resolution project, has been most helpful and efficient in providing Andrea Ferguson, KnowLA digital media editor, with master files. With the LSM embarking on a huge project to digitize all French colonial records, both here and in France and Canada, the LSM and KnowLA/LEH are investigating ways to support each other's projects. In addition, Cathy Corder, KnowLA editor, met recently with Molly Rothenberg and Molly Travis of the English Department at Tulane University to discuss partnering as that department develops a Ph.D. program in Digital Humanities. KnowLA's initial public launch is scheduled for Dec. 31, 2010.
LEH seeks rural hosts for traveling Smithsonian exhibit

The LEH invites small museums, libraries and cultural institutions in towns of roughly 12,000 residents or fewer to apply to host a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition entitled Journey Stories. This exhibition, made possible through the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street (MOMS) program, has been developed especially for rural audiences and small museums with limited access to traveling exhibitions due to space and cost constraints. Journey Stories will tour six small Louisiana communities in beginning in June, 2011. Sites will be chosen based on geographic location, strength of proposed ideas for auxiliary events, and physical display space.

In addition to covering six-week exhibition rental fees for each selected site, the LEH will make available up to $6,500 in grant funds (consult LEH staff regarding application procedure for these funds) to each host in support of ancillary local programs.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Institution is a museum, public library, or other cultural institution in a community of roughly 12,000 residents or fewer
  • Institution has at least 750 square feet of exhibition floor space with at least 8-foot ceilings
  • Institution is a non-profit organization
A detailed "Request for Proposals" and application form are available at www.leh.org/html/museum.html. Applications are due Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009. To learn more about the Museum on Main Street program, visit www.leh.org/html/museum.html. For more information about the Journey Stories tour in Louisiana, or for further details on the application and selection process, contact Journey Stories/Museum on Main Street project director Rachel Norman at 504-620-2479 or norman@leh.org.
RELIC: Readings in Literature and Culture
 
 RELIC launched fall program
The first RELIC program for the fall got underway when "Where Is North Louisiana?" commenced in August at the Vidalia branch library in Concordia Parish. Thirty people came out to hear Georgiann Potts of Monroe read a Tim Gautreaux short story set in Tangipahoa Parish. The library staff was so pleased with the response and interest in things North Louisianan that a future session will feature cornbread and mustard greens.

RELIC programs continue with local funding
Significant funding cuts in RELIC programming this year have put the program at risk. In response, two program sites (in Shreveport and Slidell) have secured local funding for programs this fall. Four other libraries (in Monroe, Winnfield, Napoleonville and Houma) are working to develop local funding for programs in 2010. The geographical distribution of these responses shows a statewide public interest in maintaining RELIC programs in their communities. Responses like these attest to RELIC's appeal and importance in communities throughout Louisiana. Library staffs, friends, groups, library trustees and community-based donors interested in securing RELIC programming during the state's current budget austerity are encouraged to contact Jim Segreto, Director of RELIC (segreto@leh.org), about how local funding of RELIC operates.

RELIC programs on the web: sounds interesting?
With the opening of the Patrick F. Taylor Auditorium at Turners' Hall, a brave new world is opening up for the humanities in Louisiana, and RELIC programs might have an additional venue to the traditional one of community facilities - web cast RELIC programs.

How might a web version of RELIC work? Individual PC users, and libraries or other community facilities with meeting space that have full motion web cam and real time audio capability, would interact with a scholar facilitator in the same manner as existing RELIC programs function. Instead of a single audience in a room, the audience might consist of individuals in private homes, groups in libraries and other facilities interacting in real time. Instead of going to a location to receive assigned texts as is the custom, registered participants could opt to use local library holdings, book stores or even download texts assigned to the program. Such a format would mean greater public access to RELIC programs at lower administrative cost. A web version of RELIC will not replace the traditional format in local communities unless a local library determines that the new format served local needs better than the existing RELIC programs do now.  

As this is in the idea stage, of greatest value to this will be your comments. Are you (an individual, institution) interested in participating in this form of programming? Are there other ways of accomplishing this goal? Do you know of people who may not be receiving this e-newsletter who will want to participate? Are you a scholar interested in serving as a facilitator in such a program?

To respond to these questions, contact Jim Segreto at segreto@leh.org.  

Fall 2009 RELIC Schedule:
  • Abita Springs, St. Tammany Parish Library.  985-893-6280. "The Native American World of the Southeastern United States."  Wednesdays, Oct. 7-Nov. 11, 6-8 p.m.
  • Alexandria, Westside Regional Branch, Rapides Parish Library.  318-445-2411. "Elizabeth I of England and Her Times."  Tuesdays, Sept.15-Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Bastrop, Morehouse Parish Library. 318-281-3696. "Where Is North Louisiana?"  Tuesdays, Sept.1-Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m.
  • Columbia, Caldwell Parish Library.  318-649-2259. "Battleground Louisiana: Civil War Events and Experiences." Mondays, Sept. 14-Oct.19, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Farmerville, Union Parish Library. 318-368-9288. "The Native American World of the Southeastern United States." Thursdays, Oct. 8-Nov. 12, 6-8 p.m.
  • Gonzales, Ascension Parish Library.  225-647-8924. "Elizabeth I of England and Her Times." Tuesdays, Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.
  • Houma, Terrebonne Parish Library. 985-876-5861. "I'll Be Seeing You...America and World War II."  Wednesdays, Oct.14- Nov.18, 10 a. m.-12 p.m.
  • Many, Sabine Parish Library. 318-256-4150. "Elizabeth I of England and Her Times." Tuesdays, Sept. 8-Oct. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • New Iberia, Parkview Branch, Iberia Parish Library. 337-364-7150. "The Louisiana Purchase: Impact and Legacy." Thursdays, Oct. 1-Nov. 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Ringgold, Bienville Parish Library. 318-263-7410. "Louisiana History: Perspectives on the Pelican State."  Tuesdays, Oct. 20-Nov. 24, 6-8 p.m.
  • Ruston, Lincoln Parish Library. 318-251-5030. "Battleground Louisiana: Civil War Events and Experiences." Tuesdays, Sept.15-Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m.
  • Shreveport, The University of First Presbyterian Church. 318-222-0604. "Encounter in Louisiana." Thursdays, Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m.
  • Shreveport, Hamilton/South Caddo Branch, Caddo Parish Library. 318-687-6824. "Folktales and Stories of the South and Louisiana." Thursdays, Sept. 10-Oct.15, 6-8 p.m.
  • Slidell, St. Tammany Parish Library.  504-646-6470. "I'll Be Seeing You...America and World War II." Tuesdays, Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.
  • Stonewall, Desoto Parish Library. 318-925-9191. "Battleground Louisiana: Civil War Events and Experiences." Thursdays, Sept. 10-Oct.15, 4-6 p.m.
  • Vidalia, Concordia Parish Library. 318-757-3550. "Where Is North Louisiana?"  Thursdays, Aug. 13-Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m.
  • Winnfield, Winn Parish Library. 318-628-4478. "The Creole Identity and Experience in Louisiana Literature and History." Tuesdays, Sept. 15-Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Recent LEH grants


Lake Charles - Mahalia: Principles and Purpose (UpStage Theatre Company, Inc., $2,195) - Scholarly panel discussions interpreting a drama based on the life of the Louisiana-born gospel icon Mahalia Jackson.

Metairie - 8th Annual Coffee and Conversation: A Series of Library Discussions (Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, $2,250) - A series of scholar-directed public interviews with contemporary authors.

New Orleans - Hatch Show Prints: Value of the Poster (Tulane University, $2,500) - A scholarly panel discussion interpreting a traveling Smithsonian Institution/Country Music Hall of Fame exhibition on the legacy of an iconic American graphic art tradition.

Olla - Living Along Castor Creek (Centennial Cultural Center, $2,500) - A published resource interpreting the history and folkways of LaSalle Parish.

Opelousas - Talking History: A Historical Re-enactment Tour (City of Opelousas, $2,474) - A living history presentation highlighting diverse personalities from Opelousas' colorful past.

Plaquemine - People of Iberville Series: Germans of Iberville (Iberville Museum Association, Inc., $2,500) - An exhibition and public programs exploring the influence of German settlers on the area's history and culture
September Events at the Louisiana Humanities Center


Sept. 16 - The "Professors" piano night series will continue with Armand St. Martin.  The series is sponsored by the Hilton St. Charles Hotel and focuses on the New Orleans piano tradition and the musicians who continue to play in the city today.  

Sept. 23 - The LHC presents "As Told By Themselves: the Dirty Dozen Brass Band," the third installment in the Center's live oral history project.  The band will discuss their history and the state of brass band culture in a panel discussion, followed by a performance.

Admission to both events is $5, free to LEH members and students. The LHC is located at 938 Lafayette St., New Orleans.  For more information, contact Brian Boyles at 504-620-2632 or boyles@leh.org.
Grants deadlines


Sept. 1 - Draft deadline for Teacher Institute for Advanced Study proposals.

CANCELLED: Sept. 15 Outreach deadline.
Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to boyles@leh.org by msartisky@leh.org.
LEH | 938 Lafayette Street | Suite 300 | New Orleans | LA | 70113