Finding Funding for Michigan's 2015 Quest Program

Last year, a program called The Quest came to the attention of Michigan Traditional Arts Program staff. It was an after school program for k-12 students living in northern Michigan putting special focus on areas suffering from persistent poverty, such as schools in Brethren, Kalkaska, Mesick, and Rapid City. This 2014 partnership between SEEDS, Earthwork Music, and Blackbird Arts was focused on honoring the work of Alan Lomax by using his collected materials to inspire new creations and educating kids about music. MTAP researcher Laurie Sommers documented The Quest from start to finish. Read more about that here.

This year, those involved with this program are aiming to raise $10,000 via an IndieGoGo campaign over the next twenty days in the hopes of presenting a similar program with a different theme. These funds will go toward space rental fees, materials, recording and engineering costs, sound equipment, and student transportation. The goal is to present a performance on July 2nd that displays the hard work and creativity of the student participants.

To support this wonderful program, click here.

Here is a video about the Lomax-themed Quest program from 2014.