Haley Heritage Square
Please join The City of Knoxville and African American Appalchian Arts, Inc, in the inaguaral 10 year celebration of the Alex Haley Statue and Haley Heritage Square! May 18th, 2008 @ 3:00pm - 6pm at Haley Heritage Square 1600 Dandridge Ave. All are welcome. Special Guest: Mr. Lou Gossett from the original cast of Roots (Fiddler). Enjoy speakers, storytellers, poets, live entertainment and an "Old Fashion Fish Fry" catered by Fro's Fish. Over ten years ago African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. launched a bold initiative called Haley Heritage Square (HHS). In 1993 we commissioned internationally acclaimed artist Tina Allen to sculpt the 13-foot bronze statue of Alex Haley. The HHS International Literary and Storytelling Festival is an annual event which has been a great success for AAAA.
The 19th Annual Kuumba Festival
The Kuumba Festival (KUUMBA) was started in 1989 by local Knoxville artists and community activists who were looking to showcase local African American art and artists therefore sharing, educating and exposing rich cultural art forms to the Knoxville community.
KUUMBA Festival is located in three primary locations including: Knoxville Museum of Art, Market Square/ Downtown and Chilhowee Park. It serves as the largest African American Cultural Arts Festival in East Tennessee. This year the festival is a two-day, two night multi-event celebration with more that 200 entertainers performing on three stages, live demonstrations, and serviced by more than 100 crafts people and food vendors.
KUUMBA allows AAAA to reach out and to service the Greater Knoxville community through the offering of its cultural arts activities. Approximately 15,000 people attend the citywide event.
AAAA
African American Appalachian Arts, Inc. is a non profit 501(c)3 arts organization that focuses on positive social and community development by utilizing creative methods of education through cultural artistic programming and development. AAAA specializes in the presentation and development of African cultural art forms in the African Diaspora i.e. traditional African art, Caribbean and South American and African American. AAAA's mission was developed from the need to provide the African American community and the Greater East Tennessee community incentive to promote social change through culturally specific artistic expression. This mission is accomplished by the presentation of African and African American arts and artists in performance, education, and exhibits. These endeavors create an atmosphere of support and understanding of cultural diversity throughout Knoxville and East Tennessee.
Kuumba Watoto Urban Youth Institute
Kuumba Watoto Urban Youth Institute has been a seasonal program held weekly since AAAA's inception. KUUMBA WATOTO Youth URBAN INSTITUTE sponsors programs attended by 40-60 weekly participants ranging from 5-18 year old youth, parents, and persons of many ages from throughout the community interested in African drum and dance.
Sponsors
Through the Kuumba Festival AAAA has been responsible for bringing rich cultural arts to the Knoxville area for 18 years. Each year more organizations and companies become sponsors for such a great event. By being a sponsor it strengthens not only the community but local business as well. For more information on how to become a sponsor of Kuumba Festival 2008 please contact us today.