The New York Folklore Society has a number of professional development opportunities taking place in the upcoming months, including two “Gatherings” for Latino Artists, a Folk Arts in Education workshop in Western New York, and the upcoming Folk Art Roundtable, and an invitation-only professional development opportunity for folklorists working within New York State.

Second Latino Artists’ Gathering: Challenges and Opportunities for Traditional Artists in Rural New York

The New York Folklore Society, in collaboration with Go Art!, will hold its second Latino Artists’ Gathering on March 19, 2011 At the Homestead Event Center, Batavia City Center, Batavia, New York. Supported by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, the gatherings provide an opportunity for Latino artists residing in non-metropolitan New York State to come together to discuss issues and solve common problems. March’s theme will be “Challenges and Opportunities for Traditional Artists in Rural New York”, and we will hear of some of the current initiatives being tried to link artists across distances.

The schedule for the Gathering includes a presentation by Arturo Zavala, who has done extensive research on cultural entrepreneurship and is, himself, a traditional musician; a panel discussion by Western New York community members on the solutions they employ in their own work, and participatory dance and crafts workshops. The day concludes with dance performances from Puerto Rico and Mexico, presented by Borinquen Dance Theater and Alma Latina. For further details or to discuss attending, please contact us at (518) 346-7008 or via E-mail.

New York Folklore Society Gallery to feature the work of Bernard Domingo

To recognize the month-long run of The Lion King at Proctors Theatre in downtown Schenectady, The New York Folklore Society is featuring the bead and wire animals of Bernard Domingo. Originally from Zimbabwe but now living in New York State, Bernard uses wire and glass beads to create whimsical animals as well as other items such as motorcycles and flowers. Bernard has specifically crafted a large lion and a water buffalo to tie in to the performance of the musical. These, and many more animals, will be on display through February and March 2011.

The Gallery of New York Folk Art is located at 133 Jay St., Schenectady, NY. Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 3:30.

New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Conference

The conference: Bridges to the Future, Empowerment through Collaboration in Cultural Heritage Tourism, A Cultural Heritage Tourism Symposium will take place at Colgate University, Friday, March 18th from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the Ho Science Center, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York.

Did you know that Cultural Heritage Travelers:

• Consistently spend more money and linger longer than other travelers
• In 2009 there were 118.3 million U.S. cultural heritage travelers
• Cultural heritage travelers are dedicated shoppers at museum stores

This conference is for curators and staff of Cultural Heritage attractions, historical societies, and anyone who needs to drive more tourism business to their own front door. A conference fee of $30 per person includes the day’s events, luncheon, take home materials, refreshments, excellent presentations and time to network. Additional persons from the same business are only $25. Space restrictions
require that reservations be limited to the first 75 persons.

More information about the symposium will be forthcoming soon. Contact the New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Alliance by E-mail or at 315-521-3985.