Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Birthplace of Country Music, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Birthplace of Country Music Alliance
Mailing Address: 101 Country Music Way
City: Bristol
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 24201
Main Phone: 423-573-1927
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org
Employer ID Number: 62-1580405
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/3/2021
Requested Amount: $5,000

Project Title: LOI – Birthplace of Country Music General Operating Support
Project Description:

Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. (BCM) is comprised of three branches: The Birthplace of Country Music Museum (BCMM), Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Music Festival and Radio Bristol. Our mission is to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich musical heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions from which we derive our name; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities. BCM has become a cultural history destination with growing attendance yearly; has received numerous accolades, and has had, and is having, a major economic impact on the region.

We kindly request $5,000 towards the museum’s operating expenses which makes a tangible difference to our work as we strive to enable our staff to better direct expertise, time, and resources towards fulfilling the museum’s mission and delivering high-impact educational opportunities, meaningful programming, and engaging experiences to our community and visitors. The museum explores the history, technology, and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, historic recordings that were integral to early commercial country music. Exhibits include a variety of experiences and a live working radio station with shows focused on regional music and history. Normally (pre-COVID) we offer educational programming (school visits, outreach, educational resources, professional development); public programs (film screenings, lectures/workshops, performances, family activities); discounted/free admission days and other free activities; and music camps for children. Our goal is to make programming and activities accessible to the residents of Bristol and our community by providing arts, culture, and humanities access that highlights the rich history and culture of the beginning of country music to a wide range of visitors from diverse backgrounds. In addition, our educational offerings support local and regional schools by providing engaging, hands-on experiences for all grade levels.

Total Project Budget: Total Museum Budget : $1,435,325

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Birthplace of Country Music General Operating Support grant proposals for FY21. At this time no general operating support funding has been confirmed. Proposals submissions: Richard & Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust – Received $30,190 (For a variety educational resources) Provident Benevolent Private Foundation – $20,000 requested City of Bristol, Virginia – $50,000 requested Virginia Commission for the Art – $200,000 requested City of Bristol, Tennessee – $10,000 requested Rea Charitable Trust, Wells Fargo Private Foundation – $5,000 requested Robert F. Schumann Foundation, Wells Fargo Private Foundation – $15,000

Project Duration: Immediate
Geographical Area Served: The shared main street of the twin cities of Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee is located on the VA-TN state line, and the Birthplace of Country Music organization serves a diverse community in both cities (total population around 43,000). However, our reach goes much further into Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. For instance, in Virginia, we also work with the counties of Washington, Smyth, Russell, Wise, Dickenson, Scott, Lee, and Buchanan to bring groups to the museum, offer educational outreach experiences, and provide public programs. Bristol and the surrounding region have been hard hit by the decline in coal production and other industry lay-offs and closings. Therefore, our region is diversifying its economy and enhancing quality of life by reaching out to arts organizations and the tourism industry. Much of our audience lives in rural settings, and these areas are key outreach targets for our organization. The region includes numerous Title I schools, including students who are often underserved and disadvantaged; these are an important focus for BCM. The Appalachian Regional Commission classifies the counties in our region as ranging from “At Risk” to “Transitional.” We serve a wide variety of ages: seniors, adults and college students, K-12, and families.
Age Group To Be Served: It is our goal to make all things that we do accessible to the residents of Bristol. Through our programming and mission we serve a community of all ages, from adults to seniors to K-12 and college students. Our educational programming alone is primarily aimed to reach our local and regional schools in Bristol VA, Bristol TN, Washington County, VA, and Sullivan County TN, reaching approximately 1,600 teachers and 23,600 students. However, because we will work to also make the resources accessible virtually, we can potentially serve a much larger teacher/student population.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Toni
Contact Last Name: Doman
Contact Title: Grants Coordinator
Contact Phone: 423-573-1927 or 304-780-5871
Contact Email: tdoman@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org