Do you have stacks of audio cassette tapes and no idea what to do with them? Do you want to know the best way to store your 16mm film collections and are unsure where to start? Do you have a limited preservation budget and want to spend it in the best way possible to preserve your audiovisual media items? The University of Illinois Library has developed the Audiovisual Self-Assessment Program (AvSAP) to address these and other media-related needs.

AvSAP is free and accessible to the public, providing a series of questions designed to collect data about collections and assess the conditions of audiovisual items. Users may download AvSAP and host it on their own SQL server, or access it on the web. The goal of this assessment tool is to help collections managers develop a prioritized preservation plan for their audiovisual materials, including, but not limited to audio recordings, films, and videotapes, and to educate individuals on extending the lives of their collections with the resources at hand.

For more information on the Audio-Visual Self Assessment Program visit the AvSAP website.

AvSAP is supported by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS).

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries

Alka Badshah – Bellevue – King County District 6
Alka trained as an architect and went on to pursue a career in IT, building and managing User Interface Design.  She worked with various high tech companies for over 20 years, most recently as a Group Manager of a User Experience team at Microsoft.  She has a deep interest in using the knowledge of human behavior in improving our spaces – whether they be virtual spaces on a computer screen or physical environments in our cities and neighborhoods.

Since Microsoft, Alka has been involved in various endeavors, including angel and other investing, being active in philanthropy serving on the board of directors of Tateuchi Center, A.K. Guy Award Committee and Advisory Board of the South Asia Center at UW.  As a Director of Tateuchi Center, Alka initiated a campaign to raise a million dollars from the South Asian Indian community in support of the Center.  Alka has also been involved with furthering education in the field of math, science and business by coaching and judging for organizations like DECA & FPS (Future Problem Solving.)  She is a graduate of MIT’s media lab and has an undergraduate degree in Architecture.

Alka and her husband Akhtar live in Bellevue.  They have 3 amazing sons, youngest of them being in high school.  She enjoys interacting with artists and talking to them about their thinking process.

Alan Cornell – Kent – King County District 7
Alan is Senior Vice President at Nitze-Stagen, providing guidance, oversight and decision making for the firm’s investment, property management and development activities.  He is a Real Estate Developer and his background includes corporate strategic planning, market research, business development and consulting. He has over 30 years of commercial and industrial real estate experience, has developed several suburban business parks as well as urban centers such as the Union Station Campus.  Alan has a Masters Degree from the University of Nebraska in Economics and holds a Washington State Real Estate License.

He has been active in Pioneer Square and International District Communities for over two decades and is interested in community revitalization and urban spaces.  Currently a member of the Seattle Goodwill Board of Directors, he serves on several of their committees including the Executive, Nominating, Compensation and Site Development Committee.  He is also Chairman of the Seattle Chinatown International District Public Development Authority (SCIDpda) Real Estate Committee and, in past years, has served on several other area Boards and Committees.

Kirstin Haugen – Bothell – King County District 1
Kirstin Haugen is a resident of Bothell where she chairs the Cascadia Community College Board of Trustees.  She is a past member of the Northshore Performing Arts Center Foundation Board and the King County Charter Review Commission.

Kirstin was formerly the account executive at the public affairs firm The Mercury Group, and Chief of Staff to King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson.

e4c, 4Culture’s storefront gallery for electronic art is proud to present two media works by Longhouse Media.

Unreserved, is an intimate profile of Pacific Northwest artist and activist, Louie Gong (Nooksack, Squamish, Chinese, French and Scottish). In this documentary, Gong speaks about his artwork, a blend of Coast Salish with Vans, a popular skateboard shoe.  Raised in a rural farmhouse in Canada before moving to live on a small reservation in Washington, Gong grew interested in identity and “walking in multiple worlds.” Longhouse Media captures his fascinating story about how he developed this hip, contemporary artwork, which honors his Native roots.

Also featured, Two Worlds – Inside Out, is an intergenerational production made by mentors from Longhouse Media and youth from SuperFly 2010. Two Worlds – Inside Out shows young people slowing disclosing their identities  -  both contemporary and traditional. Young people use poetry, dance, music and sport to share their challenge of living in two worlds.

The vision of Longhouse Media, is to serve as an indigenous media arts organization that nurtures the expression and development of Native artists, drawing from traditional and modern forms of storytelling, cultural identity, teaching and inquiry, based in the technologies of today.

Photo © 2010 Longhouse Media, Unreserved (Louie Gong), Video (still).
Courtesy of Longhouse Media

Ah summer – for many of us, it’s time to squeeze in that much needed vacation… warm breezes, beaches, blue oceans, delicious food. Hawaii anyone?? If you’re like me, and aren’t able to hit up the Hawaiian Islands in person, you can still embrace the spirit of “Aloha” at the Live! Aloha Hawaiian Festival at Seattle Center each year. This summer, our award-winning 4CTV team  made a special trip to record the sights and sounds and shed light on how you, too can enjoy the magic of Hawaii right here in the Emerald City.

Watch the episode

ArtWalk
Friday, September 3rd, 2010, 5:00pm – 9:00 pm
Front Street and Gilman Village, Issaquah
Issaquah’s last ArtWalk of the season. Bring the family down to historic Issaquah for what is sure to be one of the best shows of the year. For more information visit www.downtownissaquah.com.

Memory Quilts Lecture
Saturday, September 11th,2010, 1:00pm – 3 pm
White River Valley Museum, 918 H Street SE, Auburn
Join guest curator Anita Sheneberger for a slide show and lecture on the tradition of memory quilts, one of the oldest mourning arts traditions. Sheneberger will show examples from throughout history, including modern day memory quilt movements. Free with regular Museum admission. Visit www.wrvmuseum.org for additional information.

Music on the Streets
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through September 17th, 2010
Pedestrian Park on the corner of Front Street and Sunset Way, Issaquah
Listen to Blues, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Ambient, Interlocking Guitar and more! Local favorite Kris Orlowski will close the show on the 17th. For complete schedule and band web site links visit www.downtownissaquah.com.

Oliver Scott Van Olinda Exhibit
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 19, 2010, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Vashon Maury Island Heritage Museum, 10105 Bank Road, Vashon
Born Dec 25, 1865 Oliver arrived on Vashon-Maury Islands in his mid twenties. His keen observation in photography has become a window to the history unfolded on the islands. With assistance from The University of Washington, the Museum is pleased to exhibit Island Home: The Photographs of Oliver S. Van Olinda through September 19. Visit www.vashonhistory.org.

13th Annual Bungalow Fair
Saturday and Sunday, September 25th-26th, 2010, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Avenue at Seneca Street, Seattle.
The largest Arts & Crafts Event in the Pacific Northwest will feature new lectures on Artistic Leather, Color Prints of Frances Gearhart and Building Portland’s Classic Arts & Crafts Neighborhoods. New exhibitors, alongside longstanding favorites, will offer their best examples of antique and contemporary designed furniture and decorative arts. Don’t miss this annual favorite. For more information visit www.historicseattle.org.

Opening days at Mary Olson Farm, Lake Union Park and Dockton Interpretive Trail. Check out our September Preservation feature story celebrating three grand openings in september for more information.

Harvest Celebration Farm Tour
Saturday and Sunday, September 25th and 26th, 2010, 10:00am – 4:30pm
Celebrate the vitality of local agriculture, learn about the importance of supporting farmers and realize the value and joy of eating locally-grown produce. The 2010 Harvest Celebration Farm Tour in King County will take place in the Snoqualmie Valley on Saturday and Vashon Island on Sunday. All participating farms are free and open to the general public, but donations are appreciated. Visit king.wsu.edu/foodandfarms/HarvestCelebration.html for more information.

Hands-on days
Fourth Saturday of each month, 2010, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Drop in for fun, free projects for children ages 4 to 12. September is Duck on a Rock! Learn how to play the game – and learn how to make the bean bag used to play the game! Children always get to take home what they make. Visit www.shorelinehistoricalmuseum.org for more information.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Seattle 100: Portrait of a City is the culmination of a two-year personal project by renowned photographer, filmmaker, and activist Chase Jarvis. Seattle 100 shares more than 300 black and white portraits and biographies of each subject. It is a curated collection of artists, musicians, writers, scientists, restaurateurs, DJs, developers, activists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, all of whom are defining and driving culture in region.

Jarvis has created a snapshot of a city’s culture through its people. It’s a 100, not the 100, and it invites each of us to survey our own surroundings, our lives, our friends — and those not yet our friends — that make up the place we live. The place we call home.

Chase Jarvis, in collaboration with Small Lot Co-Op, Terra Blanca Winery, and Theo Chocolate will release a Seattle 100 book, collection of Seattle 100 wines and a Seattle 100 Theo Chocolate bar. All proceeds will benefit 4Culture! Wha? That’s right. All sales will support 4Culture’s programs.  We feel loved.

Students, researchers, educators, artists, and the general public will find the online archives a valuable resource for current and historic source material, and will glean knowledge of the APA community from the newspaper’s personality profiles, coverage of news stories, and even the advertising sections. Access the International Examiner online archives at www.iexaminer.org.

Image: Copyright International Examiner

From Crosscut:

Up at Stevens Pass on the Iron Goat trail lie old-growth railroad history and one of the finest hiking trails you’ll ever find. Among the many great stories are the sagas of John Stevens, heroic engineer of tunnels, and Ruth Ittner, who brought the rail-trail back to life.

Join Volunteers for Outdoor Washington (VOW) this Saturday as they say goodbye to Ruth by the trail she devoted her retirement years to creating. Ruth died in June at age 92.

To learn more about Ruth, the Iron Goat Trail, and the celebration of her life, read the Crosscut article, visit the VOW website, and check out this June Blog4Culture piece.

Photo: Courtesy Volunteers for Outdoor Washington

Heritage Cultural Facilities is an annual program that funds the purchase, design, construction, and remodeling of heritage facilities, and the acquisiton of equipment intended to be used for at least 10 years.

In 2009, the program awarded $328,835 to 11 organizations in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $50,000. Due to the current recession, and the resulting downturn in Lodging Tax revenue, 2010 Heritage Cultural Facilities awards will be capped at $20,000.

Visit our website for more information about workshops, eligibility and how to apply for Heritage Cultural Facilities funding.

© Courtesy Issaquah Historical Society

Wendy Becker, Snohomish County’s Historic Preservation Officer, shares her tips on developing successful sponsorship proposals and grant applications that get results. Also, learn more about the grant programs that Snohomish County offers in this informative workshop.

Thursday, September 9, 6:30 p.m.
Snohomish County Campus
3000 Rockefeller Ave. in downtown Everett
First floor public meeting room
RSVP at wendy.becker@snoco.org

Sponsored by the League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations. For more information visit www.snocoheritage.org.

Thinking of downsizing your physical possessions in favor of storing your memories on a hard drive? Remember, ink on paper and photographic prints have stood the test of time and have managed to survive fairly well, even when stuffed in a shoebox. However, digital records require periodic migration to newer media formats to be preserved and accessed.

To help you organize and care for your digital memories, the Library of Congress has produced a short video that offers simple and practical strategies for personal digital preservation. Once you’ve viewed the video, check out digitalpreservation.gov for more helpful information.

Exhibition Opening Celebration Event
August 14, 2010, 1-3pm
www.seattleartmuseum.org

Join the Quileute Nation Drum Circle in celebrating the opening of the exhibition Behind the Scenes: The Real Story of the Quileute Wolves. Organized in conjunction with the Quileute Nation, the Seattle Art Museum exhibition brings together rare, never-before exhibited art works and creates a public forum for the Quileute people to introduce their culture beyond what is depicted in the Twilight books and films.

The wolf plays a major role in the cultural beliefs of the Quileute Native Peoples of coastal Washington. According to oral traditions, the first Quileute people were changed from a pair of wolves into human form by the Transformer, Kwati. This creation legend is central to the Quileute world view, and wolf imagery can be viewed throughout the exhibition.

© Quileute wolf headdress, Seattle Art Museum

Northwest Seaport is requesting proposals for rehabilitation of the Lightship No. 83, an exciting effort to re-open the vessel to the public for events and programs. Built in 1904, the Lightship No. 83 was one of hundreds of floating lighthouses that guided ships and boats safely along American Coasts. During World War II, the vessel was painted grey, deck guns were added, as well as fold-out bunks for up to 50 crewmen, and was used to patrol the San Francisco Bay on the lookout for enemy submarines.

After the war, the Lightship No. 83 was transferred to the Coast Guard District 13 in the Pacific Northwest as a “relief” vessel. Servicing the Columbia River, Umatilla Reef, and Swiftwure Banks stations, No. 83 relieved the regular vessels at these posts for their yearly maintenance and resupply. The vessel was decommissioned from the Coast Guard in 1961 and purchased by Northwest Seaport seven years later. Northwest Seaport is in the beginning phases of a two-year restoration project designed to open the vessel to visitors for tours, programs, and more.

The first phase of the rehabilitation will stabilize and service the Lightship, removing asbestos-bearing material, stabilize the overhead rigging, and service the ship’s electrical and plumbing systems. This will prepare the vessel for the complete deck replacement planned for the second phase. All work will take place at the selected shipyard. Those interested should contact Northwest Seaport at (206) 898-7012 for more information. The full bid is also available at www.nwseaport.org. Proposals are due August 12, 2010.

Image: © 2010, 4Culture Staff

Puget Sound history is MARITIME history. Waterborne transportation was the primary mode of travel in Western Washington well into the 20th century. Forests of fir and cedar yielded the planks and timbers needed for canoes and ships of every size and purpose. Along the shores and waterways of King County, old lighthouses and wharves, bridges and locks, and a fleet of nationally significant heritage ships tell the story of a maritime past. Today, dedicated organizations continue to preserve the wooden boat legacy of Puget Sound.

4CTV is excited to debut the first program in a 3-part series of documentaries focusing on the Destination Heritage travel guides - Maritime, Agriculture and Industry. The first program showcases the maritime groups at South Lake Union, including the Center for Wooden Boats (CWB), NW Seaport and the Virginia V. In interviews, Executive Director, Betsy Davis and Dick Wagner, Founding Director, of the CWB relate the history of maritime in our region and the how organizations are working hard to keep that history alive and relevant. Click on the video below to view a short clip.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to watch the entire episode.

FUN opportunity: August 13 South Lake Union is having a block party! There will be activities for kids and grown ups (including wine tasting, beer garden, grilling competition and farmer’s markets). Head down to South Lake Union to explore the neighborhood and exciting waterfront activities at the park.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Charlie Rathbun, Arts 4Culture Lead, connected Karen with Annie Lareau at Book-It, who brought in Rachel Atkins of Living Voices to craft the script. Using research provided by the genealogical society, Rachel created a set of vignettes highlighting the lives of selected individuals and families now residing in the cemetery.

After extensive script development and rehearsals, and the support of Site Specific and Heritage Special Projects funding, a talented troupe of actors assumed multiple roles in what was billed as a living history performance. But the presentation went beyond what one typically thinks of as living history. Although actors spoke dialog to portray cemetery residents, additional biographical information emerged through descriptive narration delivered in character by the players.

With basic historical costuming, and few props, the cast, under the skillful direction of Makaela Pollock, depicted births, marriages, and deaths with white cloth strategically bunched, unfurled, or draped. At one point, two actors folded and unfolded fabric to effectively represent the once periodic flooding of the Kent Valley. As the characters’ lives transpired, often ending tragically and prematurely from disease or complications of childbirth, the actors wrapped their grave markers with simple shrouds.

To enhance a reflective mood, the cast segued from one graveside enactment to another, and gathered their audience around them, by singing an appropriate period hymn or folksong. More impressionistic than literal, the production engaged viewers’ imaginations in understanding lives that previously had been represented only by dashes between dates on tombstones.

This year’s staged reading is slated for travel to local schools, but is also available for a reduced fee to ten other local venues as well. This is a golden opportunity for an organization to incorporate a professionally produced, non-fiction theatrical performance into its public programming. Book-It is offering “Women’s Votes” for a special booking fee of $475, but since venues are allowed to charge admission, the performance could potentially be a fundraiser for organizations.

If you would like more information or are interested in scheduling a performance of this unique presentation, contact Eric Taylor at 206-296-8688 or eric.taylor@4culture.org.

Image: © 2009, Courtesy of Washington State Historical Society

The grants of up to $3,000 are aimed at completing stand-alone conservation projects that convey the essential character and experience of the United States. To access application guidelines instructions, please visit www.imls.gov/collections/grants/ahpg.htm. Examples of fundable projects are provided in the grant guidelines.

The partnership builds on IMLS’s Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, a multi-year, multi-pronged initiative to raise public awareness and inspire action on the care of America’s collections. The initiative implements recommendations of an IMLS-supported study, A Public Trust at Risk: The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America’s Collections, which found that nearly 190 million objects in U.S. collections are in immediate danger of deterioration and need restoration or conservation.

For questions about museum projects, please contact Christine Henry, senior program officer, at 202-653-4674. For questions about library or archival projects, please contact Kevin Cherry, senior program officer, at 202-653-4662.

The deadline for application is September 15, 2010.

The Suquamish Tribe is accepting applications for Museum Executive Director. Primary responsibilities include conceptual leadership, overseeing daily operations of the Suquamish Museum as a nonprofit enterprise, supervision of staff, management of physical facilities as well as coordination of museum fundraising activities.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Museum related field required, Master’s preferred; five years minimum experience in executive management of a comparable organization; minimum of two years experience in budget and fiscal management in a comparable organization; minimum of two years experience in resource development in a capital campaign or related fundraising effort; demonstrated experience with designing and operating innovative cultural arts programs, curatorial experience preferred.

Background/drug screening required. Salary DOE plus benefits. To apply call (360) 394-8414, or e-mail cover letter and resume’ to Jamie Gooby, Suquamish Tribe Human Resource Coordinator [jgooby@suquamish.nsn.us]. Applications can also be downloaded at www.suquamish.nsn.us. Click on the Employment Tab.

EEO/Indian Preference Employer. Closes August 7, 2010.

Community members came out in force last night to say their goodbyes to the beloved and iconic South Park Bridge. By foot, bike, car, and bus they traveled the span one last time while Duwamish tribal drummers, bagpipers, and a funeral band played songs of mourning.  El Son De Los Diablos dancers processed.  Muralists painted the concrete walls of the approaches. Classic cars lined the streets.  Voices spilled out of the businesses along 14th Avenue South.  After hours of revelry, the seismically vulnerable span was eventually raised to its final resting place as the emotional crowd chanted “we want a bridge!”

If and when funds are secured to build the replacement for this critical link, 4Culture will be there.  Artist Barbara Grygutis has been working with the County’s design team since 2008.  She plans to fabricate a pedestrian railing that incorporates the historic iron rail panels and gears and site the massive rockers (the mechanisms that were once used to open and close the bridge) like sentinels on either side of the Duwamish…a nod to the integrity and strength of this special place.