Arts and Cultural Heritage Community Arts Learning Grant

1. At least 450 area residents of all ages will participate in music and performance arts during an African Culture Festival in February 2016. 2. At least 150 people will participate in the African Culture workshop and music master class and gain understanding about West African culture and lyrical music (e.g. “sweet speech”) or culture-specific rhythms, music patterns, and vocal/drumming techniques. 3. About 100 students and community members will perform in the evening concert; at least 200 more College and community members will attend. All will experience the music of Ghana, West Africa. The project will also increase regional youth interest in African art, music, and culture. We will determine outcomes through various avenues. First, we will ask all participants to complete brief surveys after each session. We will pose questions such as: Did this festival inform or enhance your understanding of African culture? Are you more interested in World music based on what you encountered here? How would you describe your overall experience? Will this experience encourage you to participate in any future music/art experiences? Surveys will also ask respondents to indicate the sessions they attended. Project directors, community partners, and guest artists will monitor the learning that occurs during the sessions and participants’ engagement in interactive portions.