Bau Graves Explained

James "Bau" Graves is an American musician, musicologist, and arts activist. He is the former executive director of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. In 2005 his book on folk arts and community, Cultural Democracy: The Arts, Community, and the Public Purpose, was published.[1]

Graves and his wife Phyllis O'Neill co-founded the Portland, Maine, Center for Cultural Exchange (formerly Portland Performing Arts Center) around 1982 and were co-directors until fall 2005.[2] [3] The Center for Cultural Exchange described itself as being "dedicated to advancing cultural understanding through arts and education programs in collaboration with diverse communities and artists in Maine and throughout the world."[4] Graves was the artistic director and O'Neill was the executive director. In November 2005, Graves became the president and executive director of Jefferson Center, a performance venue in Roanoke, Virginia, which was financially troubled at the time.[5] [6] He left it in better financial condition than he found it, 14 months later, to become executive director of the Old Town School of Folk Music.[7] [8]

Graves' tenure at Old Town School of Folk Music was contentious.[9] In early 2019, Graves retired from the organization.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The core of absolutely everything: Bau Graves on the importance of the folk arts . NEA Arts. 2009. 3.
  2. Web site: Center For Cultural Exchange, Charter Number 19830147ND . Maine Department of Secretary of State: Corporate Name Search . 26 October 2018.
  3. News: Busby . Chris . Board "likely" to sell Center for Cultural Exchange . 26 October 2018 . The Bollard . December 22, 2005.
  4. Web site: Center for Cultural Exchange . Center for Cultural Exchange . https://web.archive.org/web/20060718141356/http://www.centerforculturalexchange.org/ . 18 July 2006.
  5. News: Berrier Jr. . Ralph . Jefferson Center names new president . 26 October 2018 . Roanoke Times . Nov 18, 2005.
  6. Web site: Jefferson Center . Jefferson Center . 26 October 2018.
  7. News: Kittredge . Kevin . Jefferson Center leader to leave for Chicago job . 26 October 2018 . Roanoke Times . Mar 9, 2007.
  8. News: Storch . Charles . $1 million gift greets new Old Town School chief . 26 October 2018 . Chicago Tribune . 3 May 2007.
  9. Web site: Guarino . Mark . Folk and Blues: The Tribulations of The Old Town School . Newcity . Newcity Communications, Inc. . 9 August 2020 . 20 February 2019.
  10. Web site: Fisher . Amber . Old Town School of Folk Music Exec. Director Announces Retirement . Patch . 9 August 2020.
  11. News: Guarino . Mark . Disharmony at the Old Town School: The new teachers’ union fears the administration is treating them like commodities, not inspirations. . 7 November 2020 . Chicago Reader . Chicago Reader . 5 November 2020.

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