U.S. Department of State’s American Music Abroad Initiative Now Accepting Applications

U.S. Department of State’s American Music Abroad Initiative Now Accepting Applications

Using music as a means to engage audiences worldwide, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that the American Music Abroad program is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 season.  Musicians interested in applying for this international exchange program, which consists of month-long, multi-country tours for approximately 10 ensembles from a variety of American musical genres, may apply at www.americanvoices.org/ama. 

American Music Abroad ensembles will be selected on the basis of artistic quality and commitment to educational and cultural engagement.    To represent the full spectrum of the American musical landscape, musical ensembles from across the United States that specialize in Hip Hop, Rock & Roll, Jazz, Country, and other American roots music including but not limited to Native American, Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Gospel and Zydeco are invited to apply for this international exchange program.

The deadline for applicants is January 16, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. PST. 

American Music Abroad builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power” diplomacy, which embraces the full range of diplomatic tools – in this case, music – to bring people together and foster greater understanding. 

The Department of State, in partnership with the Association of American Voices, will craft an international exchange that will engage selected American ensembles with international audiences, especially underserved youth.  Through public concerts, interactive performances with local musicians, lecture demonstrations, workshops, and jam sessions, the American Music Abroad initiative reaches audiences in nearly 40 countries with little or no access to live American musical performances.

For more information about American Music Abroad and other international cultural exchanges, please visitwww.exchanges.state.gov.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs promotes international mutual understanding through a wide range of academic, cultural, private-sector, professional, and sports exchange programs. These international exchanges engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in many fields in the United States and in more than 160 countries. Alumni of ECA exchanges comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 50 Nobel Laureates and more than 320 current or former heads of state and government.

The Association of American Voices has presented concerts, workshops and master classes, and summer youth performing arts academies to over 200,000 audience members in 110 countries during the past 16 years. With a focus on nations emerging from conflict or isolation, American Voices has taken its unique brand of cultural engagement programs, Jazz Bridges, YES Academy and Hiplomacy, to nations such as Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan. In recognition of its work, American Voices was selected as a Best Practice Organization by the International Cultural Engagement Task Force and the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (USCCD) in 2010.