Funding for Nonprofit Cultural Organizations Throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands (Cooperative Agreement)

FAIN: SP-271395-20

Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, VI 00802-6924)
Dee Baecher-Brown (Project Director: January 2020 to present)

The development and implementation of humanities programming and activities throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands in the absence of an established humanities council.

The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) would enter into a cooperative agreement with the NEH to fund the solicitation, award, and post-award monitoring of subawards to humanities organizations such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television and ratio stations throughout the USVI. (Only public or nonprofit entities with 501(c)(3) status based in the USVI would be eligible to apply.) The subawards must fund humanities activities, which could include but are not limited to, book festivals, literacy campaigns, speaker's bureaus, teacher development, cultural tourism, humanities publications, films, exhibitions, and projects that preserve and provide access to cultural and educational resources. 

Associated Products

Windmills of St. Croix (Web Resource)
Title: Windmills of St. Croix
Author: William Cleveland
Abstract: While roaming about St. Croix, people wonder about the stone towers dotting the landscape. Many of these towers were windmills built for crushing sugar cane (why we use the word windmills, not sugar mills). Of the 150-160 windmills for crushing sugar cane ever built on St. Croix, 119 have been located. This website provides the location of each windmill, how each one appears on historic maps, and current photos. Explore this website to learn more about specific places of interest, how mapmakers presented St. Croix, and how sugar was manufactured. Each estate where a windmill may have been built has a dedicated page to review the history as depicted on historic maps and how it currently appears.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: http://www.stcroixwindmills.org
Primary URL Description: Windmills of St. Croix Website

F.Y.R. is L.I.T. and C.H.A.N.T: Community Cafe for Contract Day October 1, 2021 (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: F.Y.R. is L.I.T. and C.H.A.N.T: Community Cafe for Contract Day October 1, 2021
Writer: N/A
Director: Leslie Hamdorf
Abstract: A compilation of the work leaders completed for Fueling Youth Reading is Leaders in Training (FYR is LIT) on October 1, 2021 to host the first Community Cafe for Contract Day. An effort to have cross-generational and cultural conversations about the wealth of wisdom from ancestors, the power within, and the progress a collective movement can make. This grant focused on cultivate direct and productive cross-generational conversations about the US Virgin Islands by training youth in conducting interviews with local elders, leadership development, and community organizing, culminating in a community event on Contract Day.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5oHiDkA9OE&t=115s
Primary URL Description: YouTube Video
Secondary URL: http://www.fyrislit.com
Secondary URL Description: Organization Website for FYR is LIT
Access Model: Open access
Format: Video
Format: Web

Fireburn the Documentary (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Fireburn the Documentary
Writer: Angela Golden Bryan
Director: Joel Fendelman
Producer: Angela Golden Bryan
Abstract: The Fireburn documentary explores the inhumane conditions that existed on the island of St. Croix prior to the labor revolt and looks at the women who were called “Queens” due to their leadership. The documentary interviews historians, cultural ambassadors and educators and looks at the folklore, art and history surrounding the Fireburn. The Fireburn is a story that must be told because it is Virgin Islands’ history, African Diaspora history, Danish history, US history, and Caribbean history…as such, it is World history! Yet, the Fireburn is little known outside the Virgin Islands.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: http://www.fireburndocumentary.com
Primary URL Description: A website dedicated to the Fireburn Documentary.
Secondary URL: http://angelagoldenbryan.com/products/
Secondary URL Description: Producer's website
Access Model: Documentary available for purchase
Format: Film
Format: DVD
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

Community Matters Seminar Series & Audio Tour (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Community Matters Seminar Series & Audio Tour
Author: Hadiya Sewer
Abstract: This grant was used to produce a seminar series, entitled Community Matters, hosted by WTJX/NPR in the Virgin Islands, and curated by St. Jan Co Dr. Hadiya Sewer. Those recorded broadcasts served as community engagement events where critical discussions were held on topics pertaining to cultural preservation and the challenges that academics, artisans, educators and citizens face on St. John, and in the Virgin Islands, as a result of, or in relation to, cultural tourism. The second part of the grant was used to fund the production of an audio tour of places on St. John, and in Virgin Islands National Park, as told by St. Johnians and Park Rangers. This piece serves as a timeless self-guided interpretative tool that will be shared with park visitors in the Visitors Center, on the Friends website, and with schools (along with a resource guide of activities for educators).
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http://friendsvinp.org/community-seminars/
Primary URL Description: Community Matter Seminars and Conversations
Secondary URL: http://friendsvinp.org/stjohn-voices/
Secondary URL Description: An audio tour and oral history about Virgin Islands National Park and St. John. It serves to give voice to the heritage, culture and natural history as told by born St. Johnians and resident scientists. These stories recall historical details of the people and the natural life of the island that shape this place.
Access Model: Open access

Open Access Collection (Open Access eBook or Collection)
Publication Type: Open Access Collection
Title: (Simplified) Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands 1954
Year: 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7376533-
Publisher: The Caribbean Writer Press
Author: Paul Leary, Ph.D.
Author: Malík Sékou, Ph.D.
Editor: Linda Smith, Ph.D.
Abstract: A simplified analysis and contextualization of the Revised Organic Act of 1954 as amended. The 1954 Revised Organic Act (amended) serves as the effective constitution of the United States Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I.). Despite its importance in the political life of the Territory, it has not previously been available in a format that integrates the original document with the important changes (amendments) made to it. This version is written in plain English which enables the average person to understand it and provides an overview of the historical and political context which explains why the islands are organized by a law passed by the U.S. Congress rather than a locally drafted and approved framework of government. This document expands public awareness of the Revised Organic Act and its importance, and provides access to the territory’s schools, libraries, civic organizations and/or institutions.
Primary URL: http://sway.office.com/7Ac6pr7E4Fy9Mki3?ref=Link
Primary URL Description: Electronic book
Secondary URL: http://www.uvi.edu/academics/lib-arts-and-sciences/research-and-outreach/osdcd.html
Secondary URL Description: University of the Virgin Islands Office of Self Determination and Constitutional Development
Type: Multi-author monograph

Historic schoolhouses in the East End and Coral Bay area of St. John (Web Resource)
Title: Historic schoolhouses in the East End and Coral Bay area of St. John
Author: Coral Bay Community Council
Abstract: The Coral Bay Community Council (CBCC) has undertaken a project with two goals: (1) accomplish the necessary work to register two historic schoolhouses in the East End and Coral Bay area of St. John in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Virgin Islands Registry of Historic Buildings, Sites and Places (VIRHBSP), and (2) encourage public interest in preservation and knowledge of cultural and historic properties in the Coral Bay area. The impetus for this project is to provide recognition and protection for two important historical and cultural places on St. John – schoolhouses that were attended by parents and grandparents and other elders in recent memory. The project documents this local history so it remains accessible for future generations and involves local culture bearers so they can learn key research techniques to conduct this type of work in the future, building local capacity.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: http://coralbaycommunitycouncil.org/historic-schoolhouses-project/
Primary URL Description: Historic Schoolhouses on St. John, USVI

The St. Thomas Historic District Virtual Tour (Game/Simulation)
Title: The St. Thomas Historic District Virtual Tour
Author: VI Crawl
Abstract: An NEH grant was used to develop the initial design and successfully launch the St. Thomas Historic District Virtual Tour through the VI Crawl app. This virtual tour is a game-like experience that features a map, media content & short quizzes embedded. It is now available in the Apple & Google play stores for download.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: vicrawl.stqry.app
Primary URL Description: App Store - https://apps.apple.com/app/vicrawl/id6469617220 Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app7891 Web - vicrawl.stqry.app
Source Available?: No

Through Their Eyes: A Youth-Centered Look at Virgin Islands History (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Through Their Eyes: A Youth-Centered Look at Virgin Islands History
Writer: Grace King
Writer: Rochelle Jn Baptiste
Writer: Torhera Durand
Director: Grace King
Abstract: A short film production capturing the historical and cultural richness of the Virgin Islands. The film features a group of 25 youths visiting various historical sites, emphasizing the importance of preserving and celebrating the VI's unique heritage. Through storytelling and exploration of societal challenges, the project seeks to foster cultural preservation, awareness, and social justice, shedding light on broader issues of imperialism, the ongoing struggle for self-determination, and the imperative to understand and value the complex histories of marginalized communities.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fx52jwcx8j173gc611u4o/FINAL-VIDEO-Virign-Islandsss-1.mp4?rlkey=sm874tbsrwlogxuii3gm60kbz&e=1&dl=0
Primary URL Description: Dropbox link to film.
Access Model: Open access
Format: Film

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