Folk arts coordinator begins work, thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts

Nov. 2, 2005 -- Arkansas folk arts coordinator Dr. Michael Luster has begun work under a $30,000 grant to Arkansas State University from the National Endowment for the Arts.  

The project, a collaboration with the Arkansas Arts Council, marks a new effort to plan a statewide folklife program. The initial projects will involve researching the traditional culture of the Mississippi Delta Region and technical assistance with heritage programming throughout the state.

There is a long history of research and presentation of folklore in Arkansas. In creating the new position, the Arkansas folk arts coordinator will build on research completed on topics as diverse as old-time and bluegrass music, blues, storytelling, folk arts, and foodways.  

The results of research on the state's traditions and tradition-bearers will be presented to the public through educational programs, media projects, concerts, the Delta Blues Symposium, and other events coordinated by ASU and the Arkansas Arts Council.

In his first weeks on the job, Luster has already established an internet discussion group, ArkFolkNet, to enable those interested in Arkansas traditions to share information. He has nominated two outstanding Arkansas traditional artists, blues musician CeDell Davis of Pine Bluff and ballad singer, basketmaker, and potter Sheryl Irvine of Mountain View for the National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor for traditional artists. 

Arkansas has not had one of its citizens honored with the award since 1985. Luster is also working to create new programming for the Delta Blues Symposium for 2006 including a performance of Latino musicians from the Delta and a Blues-in-the-Schools program. 

Luster is also working to inform others about ASU and the Arkansas folklife program. He spoke recently at the Talking Ozarks Symposium at Missouri State University in West Plains, and he has traveled to speak at the Tennessee Folklore Society meeting and to the American Folklore Society meeting in Atlanta. 

“I’m working to meet with as many of my colleagues both in and out of state to learn about what projects are working and to look for new ways to serve the people of Arkansas,” Luster said.

For more details about the Arkansas folklife project or to suggest leads or topics, please contact Dr. Luster at 318-503-1618 or via email at Luster@aol.com. To subscribe to “ArkFolkNet”  send an email message to ArkFolkNet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

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