Welcome to the land where blues began

Delta Blues Museum to Receive 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service

National Award Recognizes Exceptional Contributions of Clarksdale Museum

April 23, 2013

Press Release

www.imls.gov

Delta Blues Museum - 2013

WASHINGTON (April 23, 2013) ‐ The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced Delta Blues Museum of Clarksdale, Miss., as one of 10 recipients of this year's National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The nation's highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community, the National Medal celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. The National Medal will be presented at a celebration in Washington, D.C. on May 8, 2013.

The blues is a vibrant, living, and uniquely American art form with deep roots in Coahoma County, Mississippi, and masterful expression from the artists who lived there. Many consider the distinctive Delta style the most elemental blues form. The Delta Blues Museum celebrates the history, showcases live performances, and nurtures the next generation of blues musicians. Participants in the museum's popular music classes are from every segment of the community ‐ ages five to over 60, and reflect diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds ‐ and a travelling trunk exhibit inspires blues appreciation across the nation.

"Museums and libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and as cornerstones for our communities. Not only is the Delta Blues Museum celebrating one of our country's most fundamental genres of music, but they're educating the next blues greats. We are proud to name Delta Blues Museum one of this year's National Medal for Museum and Library Service winners," said Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services. "This year's National Medal recipients demonstrate the many ways museums and libraries alike build strong communities. These institutions are educating, inspiring, and leading lifelong learning while serving as community anchors."

"Being a National Medal recipient will forever symbolize the important role the Delta Blues Museum plays in not only our local community but the global music community as a whole. I am honored to accept this award, the highest national honor bestowed upon museums and libraries for service," said Shelley Ritter, executive director, Delta Blues Museum. "We anticipate this recognition will significantly enhance the Delta Blues Museum's ability to honor our many talented blues musicians, to educate and engage future generations in our local, living contribution to the music world, and to preserve the history and heritage of our community and its vast contribution to this important American art form."

Twenty-three-year-old Travis Calvin, who started playing the guitar at the museum when he was just eight years old and is now pursuing music as a career, will travel to Washington and share the impact the Delta Blues Museum has had on his life during the May 8 celebration.

This year's honorees exemplify the nation's great diversity of libraries and museums and include a science center, children's museum, music museum, art museum, cultural museum, public libraries, and county library systems, hailing from seven states. Earlier this year, 33 institutions were announced as finalists for the National Medal, and community members were encouraged to share their stories about their experiences on the IMLS Facebook page.

Medal winners were selected from nationwide nominations of institutions that demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. After the ceremony, StoryCorps ‐ a national nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans ‐ will visit Delta Blues Museum to document stories from the community.

For a complete list of 2013 recipients and to learn more about the National Medal winners, please visit www.imls.gov/medals.

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About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter .

About Delta Blues Museum Established in 1979 by the Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees and reorganized as a stand-alone museum in 1999, the Delta Blues Museum is Mississippi's oldest music museum.

The Delta Blues Museum is dedicated to creating a welcoming place where visitors find meaning, value, and perspective by exploring the history and heritage of the unique American musical art form of the blues. The Museum's current Deeper Roots Campaign seeks $1.2 million for new and enhanced exhibits for Phase II of its expansion--which includes the new Muddy Waters Addition—enabling the museum to better preserve and display the history and work of Blues artists from the Mississippi Delta, and advancing the Museum's ability to "tell" stories that inspire and educate future generations about this important American art form.

Find out more at www.deltabluesmuseum.org/deeperroots

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This site made possible through the support of Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Rock River Foundation.

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This site made possible through the support of Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Rock River Foundation.

Support for the Delta Blues Foudation, Inc has been provided by explore.org, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation.

Museum Contact information

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#1 Blues Alley Lane
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Phone: 662-627-6820
Email: info@deltabluesmuseum.org