Bethel Woods Center For The Arts Inc

BETHEL WOODS CENTER FOR THE ARTS WILL COLLECT, PROCESS, AND INTERPRET ORAL HISTORIES OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED, WORKED, OR PLAYED MUSIC AT THE 1969 WOODSTOCK MUSIC AND ART FAIR. THE PROJECT IS IN RESPONSE TO A GROWING URGENCY TO PRESERVE THESE MEMORIES, PARTICULARLY FROM MEMBERS OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WHO ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE MUSEUM’S EXISTING ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION. THREE TEAMS WILL VISIT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE NATION, WITH A GOAL TO ADD 250 ACCOUNTS TO THE COLLECTION. EXPERIENCED PARTNERS WILL WORK WITH STAFF TO DEVELOP INTERVIEW OUTLINES AND PROVIDE PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, AND OTHER MATERIALS TO AID IN STORYTELLING AND MEMORY RECALL. THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THE MUSEUM’S WORK IN MANAGING NEW DIGITAL ASSETS AND PRESENTING MORE INCLUSIVE CONTENT FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARLY RESEARCH RELATED TO THIS NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC SITE THAT DOCUMENTS A DEFINING EVENT IN AMERICAN CULTURE.

BETHEL WOODS CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN NEW YORK STATE WILL MAINTAIN ITS PRESERVATION FELLOWSHIP, ITS MOST AMBITIOUS PROGRAM TO DATE AND A NECESSARY ADDITION AS THE MUSEUM OVERCOMES PANDEMIC-RELATED INTERRUPTIONS, THROUGH OCTOBER 2022. CONTINUING THE FELLOWSHIP WILL ENHANCE AND EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMMING THAT HAS INCREASED THE MUSEUM'S INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS, STRENGTHEN PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, AND PARTNER WITH OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THE FELLOWSHIP ENCOMPASSES ORAL HISTORIES, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS, AND THE OPENING OF NEW AREAS OF THE 800-ACRE HISTORIC SITE TO EXPLORATION AND PUBLIC USE. THE PREVIOUS FELLOWSHIP PROJECT INVOLVED HELPING THE MUSEUM PLAN, DOCUMENT, AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC SITE OF THE 1969 WOODSTOCK MUSIC AND ART FAIR. THE MUSEUM WILL DESIGN FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND ADD AUTHENTIC NEW MATERIAL AND UNDERSTANDING TO THE HISTORICAL RECORD.