Ames Writers Collective Receives COTA Grant
The Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) has awarded the Ames Writers Collective a Special Project Grant for 2024. Money awarded will help fund a teen-poetry master class in conjunction with the “Langston Hughes Project Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” at Stephens Auditorium on February 8, 2024.
In January, poet Caleb Rainey will lead three generative poetry workshops for Central Iowa Youth. These workshops are FREE for teen writers and will be held in-person (and hybrid) at the Ames Public Library on January 7, 14, and 21st from 2 to 4 PM. Following the workshops, youth will be eligible and encouraged to submit a poem for a “blind read.” Two poems will be chosen for score by the “Langston Hughes Project” composer, Dr. Ron McCurdy. Caleb Rainey will read the poems accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music on February 8th.
The Ames Writers Collective is grateful to the Ames Commission on the Arts for their generous support.
ARTIST BIOS
Dr. McCurdy, is a Professor of Music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he served as chair of the jazz department for 6 years. Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Guest artists he has worked with include Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves.
Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and producer. He hails from Columbia, Missouri, and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Iowa. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, became Amazon’s #1 new release in African American poetry, and was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize. His second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019 and featured on Iowa Public Radio. He released two spoken word albums, a studio version of Look, Black Boy, and a performance album titled, Heart Notes Live! He co-founded the literary magazine Black Art; Real Stories, was published in Iowa’s Best Emerging Poets – 2019, the Little Village Magazine, and wrote a monthly column for The Real Mainstream. For three years in a row he was named Best Poet/Spoken Word Performer in Cedar Rapids & Iowa City.
