For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer L. Swain, 570-265-7455

For Immediate Release
April 15, 2009

Annual Artist Gathering to be Held in May

The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance will hold its Annual Artist Gathering on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10am-2pm at the Cameron County Artisan Center in Emporium.

Isolation is a condition that many artists must deal with when working alone in rural homes or studios located in a region like ours. The Artist Gathering was designed to connect practitioners of traditional and folk arts in a day of sharing and learning. Each year organizations that offer opportunities for marketing, grants and teaching or apprenticeships have representatives on-hand to answer questions. This year the Gathering features information on the Lumber Heritage Region, the PA Wilds Artisan Development project and the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail program and what those programs offer, how they work together and what artists can do to get involved.

Arts & Heritage Specialist with the Institute for Cultural Partnerships, Lisa Rathje, will present information on Folk & Traditional Arts Fellowship and Apprenticeship opportunities available through the PA Council on the Arts (PCA). Artist and 2007 PCA Apprenticeship Recipient Natalie Phelps of Potter County, will talk about her experiences as an Apprentice studying old-time square dance calls.

NTCA Executive Director Jennifer Swain will give an overview of the 2009-2010 PA Partners in the Arts grant program and application. The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, facilitates the PA Partners in the Arts (PPA) Program and Project Streams for Potter, Clinton, Cameron, Lycoming, and Northumberland Counties. This funding opportunity provides grants of up to $3,000, to eligible organizations or individuals to conduct arts projects.

Registration and full agenda are available online at www.ntculturalalliance.org, or by contacting the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance at info@ntculturalalliance.org or 570-265-7455. Lunch is provided. Pre-registration is requested by Friday, May 1.

Financial support for the 2009 Artist Gathering is provided by the Institute for Cultural Partnerships, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the PA Wilds Artisan Development project. The event is organized by the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of Pennsylvania's North Country and its traditional artists.

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