Blues Foundation

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The Blues Foundation is an American nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, that is affiliated with more than 175 blues organizations from various parts of the world. Founded in 1980, a twenty-five person Board of Directors governs the foundation whose stated mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of the uniquely American art form.^{[citation needed]}

On its formation, the foundation organized the annual W. C. Handy awards to "give recognition of the finest in blues performances and recordings." The awards have since been renamed The Blues Music Awards. The BMAs are generally recognized as the highest honor given to blues musicians and are awarded by vote of Blues Foundation members.^{[citation needed]}

The Blues Foundation is also responsible for the Blues Hall of Fame Museum, International Blues Challenge (IBC), Keeping the Blues Alive Award (KBA),^[1] and Blues in the Schools program.^[2]

Every year the Blues Foundation presents the KBA Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to blues music.^[3] The KBA ceremony are held in conjunction with the International Blues Challenge.^{[citation needed]} The KBA Awards are awarded on the basis of merit by a select panel of blues professionals working to actively promote and document the music.^{[citation needed]}

The foundation established the HART Fund (Handy Artists Relief Trust) for blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns.^[4] The HART Fund provides for acute, chronic and preventive medical and dental care as well as funeral expenses.^[5]

On October 1, 2015, Barbara B. Newman succeeded Jay Sieleman as president and Chief Executive Officer of the Blues Foundation.^[6]

Affiliated members[]

• Block Magazine
• Delta Cultural Center
• Ground Zero Blues Club
• Inland Empire Blues Society
• Kentuckiana Blues Society (KBS)
• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
• Knuckleheads Saloon

See also[]

• Blues Hall of Fame
• Blues Music Award
• International Blues Challenge

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Don Waller (2 May 1998). "The Foundation of the Blues". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. pp. 41–42. ISSN 0006-2510.

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