The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowships are the highest honors that our nation bestows upon jazz musicians. These fellowships are given in recognition that this magnificent art form, so profoundly based in American culture, is one of America’s greatest gifts to the world.
In order to celebrate the NEA Jazz Masters and to promote jazz, the National Endowment for the Arts has created educational materials for high school students, as well as broadcast and performance events. For more information on these activities, please visit our Web site at
www.arts.gov.
For the NEA Jazz Masters, the selection criteria are the excellence and significance of the nominees’ contributions to the development and performance of jazz. The Arts Endowment will honor musicians who represent a range of styles and instruments. These awards will be categorical; e.g., a rhythm instrumentalist, pianist, solo instrumentalist, vocalist, and an arranger or composer will be honored each year.
In addition, one fellowship will be given to a jazz advocate; that is, an individual who has made major contributions to the appreciation, knowledge, and advancement of the American jazz art form. Beginning in 2006, this fellowship will be called the A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Master Award for Jazz Advocacy after the National Endowment for the Arts’ own noted jazz writer, accomplished poet, and innovative arts administrator, who has dedicated much of his life to bringing the joy and artistry of jazz to as many Americans as possible.
Note:
I don't know if this has always been the case or not, but nominations for these awards are considered via open solicitation -- anyone can nominate a person for this award.
More info here -- >
http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/...007/Grant.html
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