Leveraging the Power of Storytelling

FAIN: ZH-252872-17

International Storytelling Center (Jonesborough, TN 37659-1239)
Kiran Sirah (Project Director: May 2016 to May 2024)

A full-time project coordinator to focus on education and outreach programs and the engagement of two to three master storytellers for the applicant’s annual National Storytelling Festival, and to support the digitization of educational products, as well as a planning conference each year focusing on engaging economically disadvantaged communities, communities of color, and youth.

As the International Storytelling Center’s National Storytelling Festival nears its 50th anniversary, we seek to engage in an impactful NEH Humanities Access project to commemorate this important milestone and ensure its sustainability. It is our goal to launch a five-year endowment-building project in 2016 which will culminate in an International Year of the Story during the 50th anniversary of the National Storytelling Festival. The project will celebrate the festival’s rich history, by broadly publicizing the festival’s important accomplishments over five decades, and ensure its bright future, by expanding our outreach efforts and focus on serving youth, communities of color, and economically disadvantaged populations, while encouraging investment in the festival and our outreach efforts’ sustainability through a term-endowment campaign.

Media Coverage

International Storytelling Center announces Summit for Young Appalachians (Media Coverage)
Publication: Johnson City Press
Date: 12/2/2018
URL: https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/international-storytelling-center-announces-summit-for-young-appalachians/article_dab75ad9-788a-5dc1-bf2d-21925b63c5b3.html

Harnessing the Power of Storytelling in Appalachia (Media Coverage)
Publication: NEH for All
Date: 4/1/2021
URL: https://nehforall.org/projects/harnessing-the-power-of-storytelling-in-appalachia

Summit teaches young Appalachians the power of storytelling (Media Coverage)
Author(s): International Storytelling Center
Publication: Johnson City Press
Date: 7/25/2021
Abstract: A press release in the Johnson City Press, July 25, 2021.
URL: https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/living/summit-teaches-young-appalachians-the-power-of-storytelling/article_cfd827ca-ea51-11eb-aa9b-8f3528bcbc0f.html

YASS on Mountain Song and Story (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Toni Doman
Publication: Radio Bristol
Date: 9/2/2021
Abstract: Toni Doman interviews Young Appalachian Story Summit coordinators Lynnea Salinas and Stella Childress about the 2021 Summit.
URL: https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/radio-stories-post/9-2-2021-mountain-song-story-ep-112/

Associated Products

Young Appalachian Storytelling Summit (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Young Appalachian Storytelling Summit
Abstract: The Young Appalachian Storytelling Summit is a youth-led event that focuses on a critical issue: how youth can use storytelling as a leadership tool to create Appalachia’s future. Summit participants have the opportunity to hear from young, diverse voices within Appalachia; to understand how the arts of storytelling can help them take action in their own communities; and to join a network of like-minded young Appalachians to collaborate with beyond the event. The Summit focuses on the issues in Appalachia that attendees are passionate about and participants have the opportunity to customize one-of-a-kind agendas based on their own interests and experience.
Date Range: 2018 - present
Location: Jonesborough, TN
Primary URL: https://www.storytellingcenter.net/initiatives/young-appalachian-story-summit/

2018 Young Appalachian Story Summit Highlight Video (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: 2018 Young Appalachian Story Summit Highlight Video
Writer: International Storytelling Center
Abstract: Highlights from the Young Appalachian Story Summit. This project is funded in part by the National Endowment of the Humanities.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5rfwUB4_k8&t=3s
Access Model: Open access
Format: Web

2019 Young Appalachian Story Summit Highlight Video (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: 2019 Young Appalachian Story Summit Highlight Video
Writer: International Storytelling Center
Abstract: The Young Appalachian Story Summit This event was funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGjR0HTqJf8
Access Model: Open access
Format: Web

International Storytelling Center Story Guides (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: International Storytelling Center Story Guides
Author: International Storytelling Center
Abstract: Looking for educational storytelling resources to engage young learners? Created from live footage filmed at the National Storytelling Festival, these guides are ideal for grades 3-8, but great for learners of all ages! Click on a teller below to explore the Story Guides, including access to the videos and printable PDFs.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.storytellingcenter.net/initiatives/classroom/
Audience: K - 12

2018 Young Appalachian Story Summit Keynote (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: 2018 Young Appalachian Story Summit Keynote
Abstract: ISC President Kiran Singh Sirah presents a keynote on leveraging the power of storytelling for civic leadership.
Author: Kiran Singh Sirah
Date: 12/14/2018
Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/rW4WC2uJdZY

2019 Young Appalachian Story Summit Keynote (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: 2019 Young Appalachian Story Summit Keynote
Abstract: Oakley Fugate was born and raised in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and has been making films since 2012. A long-term Appalachian Media Institute intern, Peer Trainer, Photographer & Filmmaker, he cites the discrimination that he has faced due to his Asperger's as his inspiration to create films about human rights. Oakley was selected in 2019 as one of Open Society Foundations’ Youth Exchange Fellows and is currently focusing on documentary films about LGBTQ youth in Eastern Kentucky, drawing a connection between exclusion on the basis of disability and orientation.
Author: Oakley Fugate
Date: 10/19/2019
Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/ktVR__JG-uM

2021 Young Appalachian Story Summit Panel Discussion (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: 2021 Young Appalachian Story Summit Panel Discussion
Abstract: The Young Appalachian Story Summit is a young adult-led event that focuses on a critical issue: how young adults can use storytelling as a leadership tool to create Appalachia’s future. Summit participants have the opportunity to hear from diverse voices within Appalachia; to understand how storytelling can help them take action in their own communities; and to join a network of like-minded young Appalachians to collaborate with beyond the event. The 2021 Summit, Crossroads, featured six presenters representing a variety of personal and professional backgrounds. They led workshops and participated in a panel discussion answering audience questions. In the video they are, from left to right: --Jose Castillo: Founder of Spark Plaza and Flavor, Inc. --Jenny Brock: City Commissioner and former Mayor, City of Johnson City --Katelyn Yarbrough: Innkeeper at the Historic Eureka Inn and founder and owner of Side Hustle Custom Bakery --Kiran Singh Sirah: President, International Storytelling Center --Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez: Founder and owner of Beyond Engagement Social Media Solutions --Dr. Alicestyne Turley: Freedom Stories Project Director, International Storytelling Center
Author: International Storytelling Center
Date: 09/12/2021
Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/omadyUXLw9I

2021 Young Appalachian Story Summit Highlight Video (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: 2021 Young Appalachian Story Summit Highlight Video
Writer: n/a
Director: International Storytelling Center
Producer: Elliott Childress
Abstract: The Young Appalachian Story Summit is a young adult-led event that focuses on a critical issue: how young adults can use storytelling as a leadership tool to create Appalachia’s future. Summit participants have the opportunity to hear from diverse voices within Appalachia; to understand how storytelling can help them take action in their own communities; and to join a network of like-minded young Appalachians to collaborate with beyond the event. The 2021 Summit, Crossroads, focused on the intersections of who we are and how we engage our voices with the wider community. Participants collaboratively explored their own strengths at these “crossroads” and developed concrete ways to use these strengths as tools in their lives and work by using the power of storytelling to cultivate a united voice during global unease. The Summit included workshops, networking, story circles, and a panel discussion to empower young adults to share their voices with their wider communities and help shape Appalachia’s future.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/rhtQXZQ0C_A
Access Model: Open Access
Format: Web

Task Game (explanation) (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Task Game (explanation)
Author: Adam Booth
Abstract: Created by award-winning storyteller and educator Adam Booth, this task game can be used as an engaging way to apply storytelling to community building. To download the game and materials pdf, visit the learning library at www.storytellingcenter.net.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/ukxm5Bo0YU4
Audience: General Public

Task Game (materials) (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Task Game (materials)
Author: Adam Booth
Abstract: Downloadable materials for Adam Booth’s task game available free of charge.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.storytellingcenter.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/YASS-Workshop-Rounds-1-6-Instructions.-Adam-Booth_.pdf?x43411
Audience: General Public

Learning Library (Web Resource)
Title: Learning Library
Author: International Storytelling Center
Abstract: ISC’s Learning Library is designed to accommodate the needs and schedule of anyone who wants to learn more about how storytelling can achieve goals and make a difference. Choose from a range of resources covering various story-related topics that you can take part in at your own pace.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.storytellingcenter.net/initiatives/learning-library/

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