CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!

Subject: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 12:52 PM

I have been working on the application for the NEA grant for Mudcat, and have come to a crucial point where I need YOUR help.

In addition to the materials I am providing, the committee requires no more than 5 letters from folks that 'know' the subject, have been affected by the 'works', and can give detailed descriptions to help the committee decide.

I know that some of you are pretty long-winded when it comes to Max. *grinningjen* Now is your chance to shine. Can you help me out?? It's not for chump change either, $10,000 at stake.

If you are interested, send letters to:
JenEllen Oaks
1323 Grant Ave
Prosser, WA
99350

NO LATER THAN Sept 12th, 2001. (I have a deadline to meet!)

I also reserve the right to pick-n-choose the best 5 to send along. You'll just have to trust me on that one.

Thanks,
JenEllen

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 12:55 PM

You got it, Jen.

Subject: HELP SAVE MUDCAT???
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 12:59 PM

Since when does Mudcat need saving???

If money is a problem, there are plenty of net options open for Max to put to good use...

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 01:00 PM

Oh yes, I'll use one of Max's quotes. It was something about influencing people to listen to music, carry on the tradition, attend a few festivals...it made me get off my complacency.

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Gareth
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 01:00 PM

Jen Ellen USA residents, or others ?

Greth

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 01:01 PM

Mudcat has been an incredible help for me and my radio programs. What exactly are you looking for in the letter?

Ron

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 01:04 PM

From the NEA:
"These fellowships are intended to recognize the recipients' artistic excellence and support their continuing contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage. The selection criteria are authenticity, excellence, and significance within the particular artistic tradition. The individuals who are nominated should be worthy of national recognition; they should have a record of continuing artistic accomplishment and must be actively participating in their art form."

Thanks folks,
~J

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:04 PM

So as Gareth asked, would it be any help to have letters from Mudcatters living in the part of the planet outside the USA?

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:14 PM

Hi Jen,

I believe there are few things which NEA could do to better support their goals than supporting MudCat. MudCat obviously supports the scholarship and work of many artists.

I am confused about the relevence of the fellowship submission. It looks like the award is for performers/writers. Is there some sort of "builders or facilitators" category? Are you submitting all of MudCat as an ongoing work of art?Or are you submitting Max as an individual performer? I am not uncomfortable with any of these but I would write a different letter for each.

Also I am a Canadian citizen with US residency. Would a letter from me be useful?

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:17 PM

Gareth and McGrath;

Sorry it took so long, I went and read the fine print. There doesn't appear to be any restrictions as far as country of origin of the letter writers, only the recipient of the award needs to be a US citizen. Perhaps the UK Catters can get together on one letter regarding UK Gatherings, etc?

Also, in reviewing applications of past winners, I can say that DETAILS play a big part in this. Cite specific instances, name names, and use all the big words. What things would not have been possible were Max/Mudcat not here?

~J

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:19 PM

Is this a renewable grant, or is it a 10K flash in the pan?

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:25 PM

JtS;

You are correct, unfortunately, the Mudcat is only a really shiny hook. We're hoping the big fish bites. The general idea being Max as artist, as well as organizing and facilitating MC. The MC non-profit status is a real boost, but there needs to be documentation as to how folk music and the folk process in general is continued by this place.

~J

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:34 PM

Mrrzy:
From the reading I was sent, The Heritage Fellowship is a one-time grant, as is the Bess Lomax Hawes. There is some questions as to whether the MC qulaifies for the Folk/Trad Infrastructure Initiative, I'm checking into that one yet. (I think it's a no-go because the MC is a pre-exhisting entity, but we'll see)

Further considerations/categories for application letters:
Artists whose contributions, primarily through teaching, advocacy, organizing, and preserving important repertoires, have greatly benefited their artistic tradition. Individuals such as producers and activists whose efforts have significantly increased opportunities for and public visibility of traditional arts and artists.

~J (who needs to get back to work!)

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:37 PM

Max as artist?

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:46 PM

Clinton:
If you'd like to come over for a bran muffin and sort through this file box of stuff I've collected, feel free. Otherwise, realize that they also consider artist as: "Individuals such as producers and activists whose efforts have significantly increased opportunities for and public visibility of traditional arts and artists." With that as the basis for argument, Max more than qualifies. Think of how many folks would not have seen YOUR website had they not heard of it here.
~J

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:50 PM

I was just asking is all... calm down JE....

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:52 PM

Clinton, stop it! *bg* I cannot carry on the guise of righteous indignation if you keep making me laugh...
~J (heading for the barn)

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 02:56 PM

Heading for the barn eh???

Is THAT what the kids are calling it these days?!?!?!

;-)

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: kendall
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 03:07 PM

Let me see what I can knock together.

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 03:16 PM

Wow, Jenellen, didn't know someone had taken the ball and was running with it. This is fantastic. Thank you very much.

Will send you a PM.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 03:17 PM

Is there a previous thread this follows on from? Only JenEllen's initial post was written in a way that seemed to imply there had been.

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Brían
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 03:19 PM

Ditto......
Brían.

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 03:27 PM

McGrath;
There was a thread early this summer, just a heads up about the grant, and I offered to look into it more and see what I could do.

ALSO:
Brought to my attention (thank you kendall!) The letters should be addressed to:
National Heritage Fellowships in the Folk & Traditional Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

~J

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 03:29 PM

These two threads are related, although I am not sure if Jenellen was specifically coming from them per se:

Max's recent Mudcat Future thread and,

Nominate Catters for NEA Fellowship

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: SharonA
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 03:54 PM

JenEllen: I don't know where you're located, but since Mudcat HQ is in the Philadelphia region, it/Max would be eligible for grants from the Philadelphia Folksong Society. It would be a good idea to look into that possibility as well as the national-level grant.

I'm afraid that I don't know anything about the application process myself; however, on the Society's website (www.pfs.org), there is a "Grants" page that states as follows:

"Each year the Philadelphia Folksong Society awards grants to worthy non-profit organizations and institutions in the Northeast U.S. These grants provide seed money, support performances, and fund music therapy programs for children.

"Recipients of these grants include: Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Mariposa Folk Festival, Sing Out Magazine, and numerous community folk organizations and events in the Delaware Valley [far southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware].

"If you are interested in obtaining information about submitting a grant application, contact Grants Chair, Philadelphia Folksong Society, 7113 Emlen St., Philadelphia, PA 19119; 215-247-1300. Or send email to [e-mail]. Please include your postal mailing address and/or telephone number if you send email."

So, there's another source to consider for funding (if it hasn't been tapped by Mudcat already!).

SharonA

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 04:00 PM

Hehehehehehe

You said "Endowment"...

That's a dirty word, if you say it right...

:-)

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: SharonA
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 04:10 PM

She didn't say it; the US government did (maybe they were thinking about Reubens when they came up with the name "National Endowment for the Arts").

Likewise, "folk" is a dirty word if you say it right! ;^)

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: JenEllen
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 04:29 PM

Sharon;
Thanks for the information on the PFS. I got some info from a sweet 'Catter in the know, and it is confirming that this NEA grant is going to be a helluva stretch for Max to win. Considering the enormous amounts of proposals one has to put out to garner any kind of return, we're going to need all the alternatives we can get!
~J

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: SharonA
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 05:43 PM

You're welcome, JenEllen. I also checked out the "official Pennsylvania website" (www.state.pa.us) and did a search on "grant", which brought up over 200 hits. I didn't comb through them, but there may be something there worth considering and applying for.

Other Pennsylvania links (state, regional, county, city, borough, etc.) can be found at www.wowworks.com/wowcity/pastate.htm and, again, there may be grant opportunities at any of those levels.

The different colleges and universities in Pennsylvania may offer relevant grants as well (PARTICULARLY West Chester University, since Mudcat is headquartered right there in the college town!).

Those are all the grant alternatives I can think of at present, but I'll keep thinking about it. Anybody else have any more ideas?

SharonA

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 06:02 PM

Mudcat is great as a contribution to folk music, both as a way of helping us get in touch, but also as a serious addition to the academic side if ut. Witness the Spancil Hill thread, most dramatically, something that would nloty ave happened without the Cat.

But it is also I think remarkable in other ways, as a model of how a transnational virtual community can be built up, and can do the most remarkable things - including generating a range of communal activiies in the 3D world that would never be possible without the Mudcat. There ought to be room for getting practical and financial support arising from this side of it, as well as from teh folk side.

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Amos
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 06:12 PM

Here is a list of some related organizations who might well be interested in the preservation of history and tradition represented by the DT, not to mention the brilliant creativity nurtured by the Forum.

A

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Amos
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 06:15 PM

Here are pointers to other kinds of Grants the NEA provides organizations, some of which look up our alley I would guess, with links to how-to's and huh? pages....

A

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Amos
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 06:18 PM

Here's another possible source of funding.

A.

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Susan of DT
Date: 28 Aug 01 - 06:50 PM

The Phila Folksong Society has given the DT a couple of small grants thru the years, so they might well be possible. Also, Dick has collected a number of letters from folks who said how the DT had helped them/their work. I'll have him send you a set, probably next week, if you tell us where to send them (I think some are paper).

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: gnu
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 06:56 AM

Three cheers for all of you. I'm going to contact a few buddies in the States about this. Their help may prove useful. Worth a try.

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 07:47 AM

I know next to nothing about this sort of thing but, would Mudcat be able to get some help from The National Lottery Good Causes fund? If not is there an american equivelent that would help?

Subject: RE: CATTERS!!! HELP SAVE MUDCAT!!!!
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 02:43 PM

Jen, I'm so sorry I'm late on this. I've sent you a PM for your email address so I send my letter electronically.