Alabama Blues Project
Cause Area
- Arts & Culture
- Children & Youth
- Community
- Education & Literacy
- Race & Ethnicity
Location
Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center620 Greensboro AvenueTuscaloosa, AL 35401 United StatesWebsite:
http://www.alabamablues.org
Organization Information
Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate the public about blues music through interactive presentations that educate while entertaining. We are dedicated to the preservation of blues music as a traditional and contemporary art form. Through educational programs, exhibits, and the development of archival and curriculum materials, we increase awareness of the role blues music has played in the development of popular American music-and specifically, how Alabama has contributed to that history. The Alabama Blues Project's educational programs encourage direct participation in the creative process. We reach a variety of audiences, including at-risk or troubled youth. Our programs teach self-esteem, discipline, cross cultural understanding, interaction, and teamwork with other members of society.
Description
The Alabama Blues Project is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which started in 1995 with a mission to educate the public about the importance of our wonderful Alabama blues heritage. Through programs that educate and entertain, the Alabama Blues Project has grown into an award-winning organization celebrating past and present Alabama blues artists while helping to preserve the rich blues heritage of this state.
The late, great, legendary blues man Johnny Shines realized the importance of blues education and often visited schools in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area. He became our inspiration for creating the Alabama Blues Project's educational programs. We now present a wide range of blues education programs, workshops and school residencies across our state and beyond.
These education programs have become part of a wider movement of innovative arts and education programs throughout the country. Considerable research now exists confirming that gaining musical and arts skills helps students' performance in other subject areas. Learning to play an instrument builds self-esteem, fosters creative self-expression, and develops higher level thinking skills, while at the same time teaching time work and self-discipline. These programs teach our rich cultural heritage while celbrating diversity.
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