Call to Action: Save the NEA National Heritage Fellowships

Call to action: Save the NEA National Heritage FellowshipsThe National Heritage Fellowships, the only national honor for traditional arts and artists, honors America's "national living treasures." Their artistry represents the highest cultural expressions of communities whose members share a common regional culture, tribal or ethnic heritage, language, religion or occupation – music, crafts, dance, storytelling and other arts passed from generation to generation, most often within family and community.The Fellowships are democratic and inclusive in nature; they honor "extraordinary ordinary Americans," outstanding artists and keepers of tradition whose work is often little known outside their communities, as well as those who have attained a higher profile. The NEA proposes to abolish the National Heritage Fellowship in 2012, to be replaced with a new award, "NEA American Artists of the Year." Traditional artists would be eligible for consideration, but forced to compete with nominees from all disciplines. It is not likely that traditional arts would fare well in such a process.The National Heritage Fellowships honor precious, often overlooked, grassroots artistic traditions, which deserve but rarely receive national attention. If you care about keeping this important American honor, you can reach out to your representatives in Congress, the NEA's National Council, talk with your State Arts Agency, or bring the issue to the attention of the media.Please "Like" the "Call to action: Save the NEA National Heritage Fellowships" Facebook page and send it on to everyone you know!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Call-to-action-Save-the-NEA-National-Heritage-Fellowships/128086547263823More info at http://www.nea.gov/honors/heritage/index.html