2023 National Heritage Fellows: Two 2023 National Heritage Fellows: folklorist Nick Spitzer (Louisiana) and blues musician R.L. Boyce (Mississippi). The NEA awards these. They are well-known in folk and traditional arts.
Spitzer and Boyce were awarded a $25,000 grant from Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship. The award recognizes their efforts in preserving and sharing traditional traditions.
The award ceremony is on September 29, 2023, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Nick Spitzer has hosted “American Routes” for 25 years. He teaches anthropology at Tulane University. The show is from Tulane in New Orleans. It has interviewed singers like Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, and Dolly Parton. On 380 public radio stations, Spitzer’s performance promotes diversity and reaches 750,000 listeners.
Spitzer’s dedication to Acadiana’s roots in music in Louisiana is vital to the state’s culture. He started the Louisiana Folklife Program, oversaw the creation of the five-LP Louisiana Folklife Recording Series, set up the Louisiana Folklife Pavilion at the New Orleans World’s Fair in 1984, and played a crucial role in launching the Baton Rouge Blues Festival. He’s also a senior folklorist at the Smithsonian in Washington.
Boyce is a famous blues artist from Mississippi hill country. His style and songs are classic. He draws inspiration from the history of handmade drums and cane fifes. Boyce’s music is distinct with a modern twist.
Boyce lives in Mississippi and is humble about his singing journey. He says, “There are lots of good blues musicians.” But my style is unique and cannot be replicated by anyone else.
Boyce has played Mississippi blues for over 50 years. He’s played with blues greats like John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf. He drummed and collaborated with Jessie Mae Hemphill.
Ed Carriere makes Suquamish baskets. He resides in Indianola, WA, and he creates them. Michael A. Cummings, a black quilt maker from N.Y., and Joe DeLeon “Little Joe” Hernandez, a Tejano singer from Temple, TX. Roen Hufford, from Waimea, HI, makes wooden kapa. Elizabeth James-Perry, a Dartmouth artist, uses wampum and cloth in her work. L. Tapia
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What is Masters of Tradition a cultural journey across America?
Discover the rich cultural tapestry of America with Masters of Tradition: A Cultural Journey Across America. This interactive story map and multimedia library, curated by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, illuminates the lives and legacies of National Heritage Fellows. Immerse yourself in the diverse and vibrant traditions of these masters, whose artistry and creativity have left an indelible mark on American culture. Explore their stories and works through this captivating digital experience, celebrating the depth and diversity of our nation’s cultural heritage.
What is the National Endowment for the Arts Folk and Traditional arts Program?
Communities brimming with cultural richness but lacking in resources are the recipients of NEA’s folk and traditional arts grants. This funding plays a crucial role in revitalizing cultural traditions, ensuring their continued significance in a community’s history, identity, and future.