Celebrate the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows with Free Events in Washington, DC
Left-right (top): Bril Barrett, Photo by Maia Rosenfield; Fabian Debora, Photo by Eddie Ruvalcaba; Rosie Flores, Photo credit Leslie Campbell; Trimble Gilbert (Gwich'in), Photo credit Photo credit Alex Troutman of Channel Films; Todd Goings, Photo credit Kyle C. Goings for Carousel and Carvings, Inc. (bottom): Susan Hudson (Navajo/Diné), Photo courtesy of the artist; Pat Johnson, Photo by Lauren Adams Willette; June Kuramoto, Photo credit Jamie Itagaki; Sochietah Ung, Photo by Pat Jarrett Virginia Folklife Program; Zuni Olla Maidens, Photo courtesy NCTA Archives
Washington, DC—This September in Washington, DC, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will hold free events to celebrate ten extraordinary artists who shape America’s cultural heritage—the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows, recipients of our nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. On Tuesday, September 17 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the NEA will premiere short documentary films about each of the award recipients, followed by an on-stage conversation with musician Jake Blount and each of the Fellows about their cultures and art forms. On Wednesday, September 18 at the Library of Congress, each Fellow will be honored at an awards ceremony. Both the film screening and the ceremony will be live webcast at arts.gov/heritage. See below for additional details and ticket information.
The 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows are:
- Bril Barrett, Tap Dancer from Chicago, Illinois
From learning tap dancing in the Chicago subway as a child to passing on the tradition through his own dance school, Barrett is a master of this expressive art form. - Fabian Debora, Chicano Muralist from Los Angeles, California
A leader in the Chicano mural movement, Debora brings hope and peace through his paintings to many who are struggling with the pain of incarceration, trauma, gang life, and violence. - Rosie Flores, Rockabilly and Country Musician from Austin, Texas
The groundbreaking talent of Flores has helped lay the foundation for what has grown into the alt country movement, preserving and extending the musical legacies of Texan musicians. - Trimble Gilbert (Gwich’in), Gwich’in Fiddler from Arctic Village, Alaska
Through watching, listening, and diligent practice, Gilbert has developed his own repertoire of songs and unique style, and has dedicated much of his life to teaching others the Gwich’in fiddle. - Todd Goings, Carousel Carver and Restorationist from Marion, Ohio
Take a step back in time and experience the joy and craftmanship of the carousels that Goings creates, repairs, and restores around the country. - Susan Hudson (Navajo/Diné), Quilter from Sheep Springs, New Mexico
Guided by the women of the past, the colors and symbols in Hudson’s quilts bring voice to the voiceless and tell a story of resiliency and humanity that will live on for future generations. - Pat Johnson, Community Activist and Organizer from Pocahontas, Arkansas
The Eddie Mae Herron Center is alive today as a museum site because Johnson and the local community have come together to educate and preserve an important part of American history.
Johnson is the 2024 recipient of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship, presented in recognition of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the preservation and awareness of cultural heritage. - June Kuramoto, Koto Musician from Alhambra, California
Listen to the unique sound of the Japanese koto as Kuramoto shares how learning to play the ancient stringed instrument has connected her with her homeland. - Sochietah Ung, Cambodian Costume Maker and Dancer from Washington, DC
With knowledge derived from his childhood in Cambodia, Ung passionately shares his skills as a multitalented costume maker, dancer, teacher, choreographer, playwright, and producer. - Zuni Olla Maidens, Traditional Zuni Dancers and Singers from Zuni, New Mexico
Witness the beauty of dance and song as the Zuni Olla Maidens pay homage to their ancestral women, celebrate the women of today, and give thanks for future generations of women performing artists.
NEA National Heritage Fellowships Film Screening and Conversations
WHAT: The NEA will premiere ten short documentary films about the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows, followed by a conversation with the honorees. Together, these films and conversations will share the story of our heritage in an engaging and meaningful way. This event will also be live webcast on arts.gov/heritage.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 17, 2024, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Terrace Theater, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC
TICKETS: This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required. You may reserve your tickets on the Kennedy Center website.
NEA National Heritage Fellowships Awards Ceremony
WHAT: NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD and members of Congress will honor the 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows at an awards ceremony, which will include a presentation of medals and short remarks by the recipients. This event is hosted by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress and will also be live webcast on arts.gov/heritage.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 18, 2024, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: Library of Congress's Coolidge Auditorium in the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC.
TICKETS: This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are NOT required.
MEDIA RSVP FOR EVENTS: To secure admission and camera locations, crews must RSVP by noon on the day of each event. Interview requests for the artists as well as photo and video requests should be sent to Allison Hill at hilla@arts.gov.
