Bau Graves

James "Bau" Graves is an American musician, musicologist, and arts activist. He is the former executive director of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. In 2005 his book on folk arts and community, Cultural Democracy: The Arts, Community, and the Public Purpose, was published.[1]

Bau Graves speaks at the 2009 Chicago Folk & Roots Festival.

Graves and his wife Phyllis O'Neill co-founded the Portland, Maine, Center for Cultural Exchange (formerly Portland Performing Arts Center) around 1982 and were co-directors until fall 2005.[2][3] The Center for Cultural Exchange described itself as being "dedicated to advancing cultural understanding through arts and education programs in collaboration with diverse communities and artists in Maine and throughout the world."[4] Graves was the artistic director and O'Neill was the executive director.[4] In November 2005, Graves became the president and executive director of Jefferson Center, a performance venue in Roanoke, Virginia, which was financially troubled at the time.[5][6] He left it in better financial condition than he found it, 14 months later, to become executive director of the Old Town School of Folk Music.[7][8]

Graves' tenure at Old Town School of Folk Music was contentious.[9] In early 2019, Graves retired from the organization.[10][11]

References
  1. "The core of absolutely everything: Bau Graves on the importance of the folk arts". NEA Arts.
  2. "Center For Cultural Exchange, Charter Number 19830147ND". Maine Department of Secretary of State: Corporate Name Search. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  3. Busby, Chris (December 22, 2005). "Board "likely" to sell Center for Cultural Exchange". The Bollard. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  4. "Center for Cultural Exchange". Center for Cultural Exchange. Archived from the original on 18 July 2006.
  5. Berrier Jr., Ralph (Nov 18, 2005). "Jefferson Center names new president". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  6. "Jefferson Center". Jefferson Center. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  7. Kittredge, Kevin (Mar 9, 2007). "Jefferson Center leader to leave for Chicago job". Roanoke Times. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  8. Storch, Charles (3 May 2007). "$1 million gift greets new Old Town School chief". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  9. Guarino, Mark (20 February 2019). "Folk and Blues: The Tribulations of The Old Town School". Newcity. Newcity Communications, Inc. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  10. Fisher, Amber. "Old Town School of Folk Music Exec. Director Announces Retirement". Patch. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  11. Guarino, Mark (5 November 2020). "Disharmony at the Old Town School: The new teachers' union fears the administration is treating them like commodities, not inspirations". Chicago Reader. Chicago Reader. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
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