Mayo Street Arts awards $16K in grants to a diverse group of Maine artists
Photo by Austin Sorette/Maine Coast Life
Written by Dylan Anderson
It’s no secret that the United States has become increasingly diverse over the last half-century. It’s a gift to share arts and culture between many different cultures and perspectives. Thanks to the Maine Arts Commission and its generous funding programs, Mayo Street Arts in Portland awarded $16,000 in grants, allocated among 16 different traditional artists.
Since 2022, Mayo Street Arts and Cultural Resources have facilitated a consortium of immigrant and Indigenous communities called the Traditional Arts Network (TAN). TAN has granted funds to traditional artists, ensembles, and organizations from right here in Maine. They are selected by a TAN advisory council, which is made up of other traditional artists, as well as fellow community members. Recipients are chosen based on their efforts to preserve cultural heritage and support traditional artists and their communities’ artistic practices.
This year, the selected recipients received between $500 and $1,750.
According to TAN, recipients are encouraged to use the funding for the promotion, celebration, and sustainability of their traditional art. Previous examples of uses include the purchase of instruments, advertising, and transportation.
Here is a breakdown of this year’s TAN Fund grant recipients:
Junior Bajikila received a grant of $1,000 to support the performing and teaching of traditional Congolese conga music to young community members.
Sarah Boothby received a grant of $1,000 to support the purchase of costumes and accessories for Philippine cultural dance performances.
Erica Brown received a grant of $1,000 for the purchase of sound equipment, contributing to the betterment of Franco-American, bluegrass, folk, and old-time American music performances.
Veronika Davis received a grant of $500 to contribute to material expenses relevant to the practice of Ukrainian embroidery and cross-stitching.
Maryam Ghulam Hassan also received a grant of $500. This is for material expenses related to Afghan henna and painting traditions.
Liudmyla Iurchenko received a grant of $1,750, the highest grant awarded this year by TAN, for the purpose of purchasing a new bayan to allow for the continued performance and singing of Ukrainian folk music and their own original compositions.
Gatien Katumba received a grant of $1,000. This grant will be used to organize a weekend of Congolese drumming circles and lessons for youth.
Patricia Katunda received a grant of $1,000, which will go toward a day of teaching traditional recipes to women through a Congolese catering business.
Muhidin Libah received a grant of $1,000. This grant will compensate almost a dozen musicians and dancers performing at the Somali Bantu Community Association’s annual Spring Blessing event.
Baba Ly received a grant of $1,000 for the purchase of a sound mixer that will be used for the integration of different instruments into his Fulani music.
Apphia Mpay received a grant of $1,000 for training an apprentice in Congolese textile embellishment and upcycling.
Josiane Mutangana received a grant of $1,000 for not only the material expenses of a serger machine, fabrics, and sewing supplies, but also for advertising efforts and the ability to feature their Rwandan clothing and accessories in local fashion shows.
Sabina Najafova received a grant of $1,000 for the material expenses of supplies for the creation of a “Hearth, Health, Environment and Art” installation, which will feature Azerbaijani cultural motifs and symbols.
Stanley Neptune received a grant of $1,000 to publish a catalog featuring hundreds of Penobscot Root Clubs.
Sokhoeun Sok received a grant of $1,250, the second-highest grant awarded this year by TAN, for the rental of a rehearsal space for Cambodian classical dance performances, as well as costumes and jewelry for the performances.
Hermila Vargas received a grant of $1,000 for the purchase of costumes for performing Mexican folk dances and to help cover travel expenses.