The North Atlantic Arts Alliance (NAAA) is a newly recognized non-profit entity, yet its incorporators have been engaged in supporting traditional art for nearly 20 years.
NAAA was incorporated by a timber framer (an ancient craft for barn and house building), an elementary school teacher who is a promoter of folk music, and an art historian. Collectively, over the past ten years, they have presented sixteen annual bluegrass music events.
The annual Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival, located in rural western Maine, presents more than 15 national, regional and local, traditionally-based musicians to audiences numbering in the thousands. Traditional craft vendors, demonstrators, instrument sales and repairs are given affordable space during the festival. Attendees are offered free workshops on instrumentation, vocal and dance expressions. As a compliment, barn and contra dances that include instruction and demonstrations, are held for the enjoyment of the attendees. Songwriting, guitar and banjo contests, attracting contestants from all over America and even overseas, are highlighted events in the festival, with contestants being awarded trophies and prizes. They are also given the opportunity to attend exclusive workshops with master-level musicians to further their skills and to allow for personal critiques. The Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Association is actively dedicated to the enhancement of traditional music and dance.
NAAA will take over the established charitable events of the Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Association and endeavor to generate funds to support the Alliance and artists. In doing so, the North Atlantic Arts Alliance will create awareness and promote exposure of the the traditional arts to the surrounding communities and region.
It is the intent of NAAA to further this commitment without the constraints and limitations of private funding, as well as to expand its support to include all forms of traditional art expression.
NAAA was incorporated by a timber framer (an ancient craft for barn and house building), an elementary school teacher who is a promoter of folk music, and an art historian. Collectively, over the past ten years, they have presented sixteen annual bluegrass music events.
The annual Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival, located in rural western Maine, presents more than 15 national, regional and local, traditionally-based musicians to audiences numbering in the thousands. Traditional craft vendors, demonstrators, instrument sales and repairs are given affordable space during the festival. Attendees are offered free workshops on instrumentation, vocal and dance expressions. As a compliment, barn and contra dances that include instruction and demonstrations, are held for the enjoyment of the attendees. Songwriting, guitar and banjo contests, attracting contestants from all over America and even overseas, are highlighted events in the festival, with contestants being awarded trophies and prizes. They are also given the opportunity to attend exclusive workshops with master-level musicians to further their skills and to allow for personal critiques. The Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Association is actively dedicated to the enhancement of traditional music and dance.
NAAA will take over the established charitable events of the Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Association and endeavor to generate funds to support the Alliance and artists. In doing so, the North Atlantic Arts Alliance will create awareness and promote exposure of the the traditional arts to the surrounding communities and region.
It is the intent of NAAA to further this commitment without the constraints and limitations of private funding, as well as to expand its support to include all forms of traditional art expression.
