Arts And Education Council Announces Fall 2018 Katherine Dunham Fellow

The Arts and Education Council (A&E) has named Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student Allena Brazier the fall 2018 Katherine Dunham Fellowship recipient. The fall 2018 fellowship is made possible by a generous gift from Carol Corey and William Holcomb. The program, created and initially funded by Sara and Jack Burke and managed by A&E, promotes diversity in arts leadership by giving African-American students an opportunity to explore, gain experience and be mentored in arts administration.

The program is named in honor of legendary dancer, choreographer, educator and social activist, Katherine Dunham. Considered one of the most successful dancers of the 20th century, Dunham founded the Performing Arts Training Center (PATC) at the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (an A&E grantee). Dunham taught dance, along with foreign language, cultural history and anthropology at the PATC. Brazier is an East St. Louis native.

"Allena is a remarkable young woman who has a unique ability to share her perspective in a way that brings you into her space. We look forward to welcoming her to the A&E team and helping advance her commitment to improving her community through the arts," said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E president and CEO.

Brazier starts the fellowship at A&E September 4 and continues through December 2018. As the fall 2018 fellow, Brazier receives a $3,000 stipend, experience in all the critical skills needed to manage an arts organization - including fundraising, corporate relations, database management, fiscal and board management - and mentorship from current arts administrators and leaders. Brazier is expected to graduate from SIUE with a bachelor's of fine arts degree in spring 2019. Following graduation, she hopes to open an art gallery in her hometown of East St. Louis.

For more information about A&E's Katherine Dunham Fellowship, visit KeepArtHappening.org/KatherineDunham.

The Arts and Education Council (A&E) builds appreciation, participation and support for the arts and arts education throughout the St. Louis community, shaping a more vibrant arts community for all. A&E spreads the ripple effect of the arts across the 16-county, bi-state region by supporting nearly 100 arts organizations through multi-faceted programs, including: Operating and Project Grants; Arts Education Grants for Teachers; Arts Incubation at the Centene Center for the Arts; a Catalyst Innovation Lab; the Katherine Dunham Fellowship; a stARTup Competition for Arts Entrepreneurs; stARTup-StL Crowdfunding Platform; Arts Leadership Management Academy (ALMA); Executive Directors Roundtable; Arts Marketers Professional Development; the Annual St. Louis Arts Awards; and Young Friends of the Arts.

Since its inception in 1963 as the region's only privately-supported united arts fund, the Arts and Education Council has raised and distributed more than $100 million in private funding for the arts - a significant contribution that directly impacts the quality of life in our region. A&E meets all 20 Better Business Bureau Charity Standards and has earned the Wise Giving Seal of Approval, a three-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Guidestar Exchange Silver Participant rating.

The Katherine Dunham Fellowship was created and initially funded by Sara and Jack Burke. Sara Burke was the first Caucasian dancer to study under Dunham at the PATC. A&E expanded the program to two fellowships per calendar year following a generous gift from Carol Corey and William Holcomb in spring 2018. Fellows receive a $3,000 stipend, experience in all the critical skills needed to manage an arts organization - including fundraising, corporate relations, database management, fiscal and board management - and mentorship from current arts administrators and leaders.

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