The American Tapestry Alliance, or ATA, is engaged in a range of educational, outreach and promotional programs to promote its goals and benefit its members. Our program goals are these:
Program Goals
- To improve and increase opportunities for greater knowledge of tapestry, internally and externally;
- To diversify membership to include collectors, curators, specifiers and academics;
- To diversify the ATA Board of Directors to include broader administrative expertise;
- To evaluate the Biennial's effectiveness in reaching ATA's most relevant audiences;
- To expand exhibition opportunities to include more members;
- To develop and maintain a thoroughly consistent communication plan; and
- To retain financial resources by supplementing them with an aggressive grant application program and expanding member and membership categories.
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Distance Learning (Mentoring) Program
By Priscilla Lynch, former Education Chair
The distance learning program is designed for intermediate tapestry weavers who want to pursue an in depth study of a tapestry topic with guidance and mentoring from a more experienced tapestry weaver. An intermediate weaver is defined as someone who can warp a loom and who has woven several small tapestries or samplers. This is meant to be a self directed and well-defined program of study. Students are encouraged to narrow the range of study so that it can be completed within one year.
To enroll, interested students submit an application form and $30 administrative fee to the Distance Learning Chair listed below. The chair matches the student with a mentoring teacher. The student under guidance from the mentor decides on the specific course of his/her study. Any expenses incurred - postage, phone calls etc, are the sole responsibility of the student. Mentoring teachers are volunteering their valuable time and students need to be considerate of this.
Student's Responsibilities
• A one year time commitment (could be extended by mutual agreement);
• Submit title and description for in-depth well defined study project;
• Prepare a list of realistic goals and objectives to complete in one year;
• Describe any finished project that you hope to complete;
• Propose a timetable for submitting samples, drawings, etc.;
• Pay for any expenses incurred during the program; and
• Submit a final report to the ATA Mentoring Committee.
Mentoring Teacher's Responsibilities
• A one year time commitment (could be extended by mutual agreement);
• Help the student set realistic goals for this one-year time frame;
• Provide direction, support and expertise as the student requires;
• Recommend additional sources for information and research;
• Evaluate progress during the course of study by critique; and
• Submit a final report to the ATA Mentoring Committee.
Application for Study (simply submit the following information)
• Name
• Address
• Telephone (day and eve)
• E-mail
• Administrative fee: $30 check or money order payable to American Tapestry Alliance
• Describe your tapestry weaving experience including workshops, classes, years weaving, and number of completed tapestries;
• Describe what specific tapestry topic you would like to study;
• Explain why are you interested in this topic.
Please send the information to:
Tommye Scanlin, Distance Learning Chair
177 S. Park Street
Dahlonega, GA 30533
(706) 864-7288
Education@americantapestryalliance.org
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Other Education Programs
To further reach our education program goals, ATA hosts an open session at a national conference every two years (HGA's Convergence) with presentations and open discussions on current topics. Collaborations with other organizations result in periodic symposia and events, such as the March 2003 "Looking at Tapestries: Views by Weavers and Scholars," where seventy attendees heard six presenters in both lecture and panel formats, and participated in an open forum with slides of their own works.
Exhibitions
ATA's primary method of attaining its program outreach goals is to mount and tour an international juried exhibition every two years. The ATA Biennials bring the best of international contemporary handwoven tapestry into a coherent show. These exhibitions provide opportunities in the field by a) setting high standards of excellence; b) touring across North America; c) triggering articles; and d) publishing a catalogue with critical essays.
These exhibitions usually draw excellent attendance to the host museums and art centers. Tapestry is rarely exhibited and, as a result, it draws a mixed audience (from across the economic spectrum) of people who view it as non-threatening, approachable, and enjoyed by young audiences. An estimated 9,000 viewers saw ATB4 in 2002-2003. In Carlsbad, California, 28 groups of local school children visited the show.
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Slide Registry
A slide registry service is available to guard against the loss of documentation of works due to fire, theft, or similar disaster. ATA also maintains a slide archive of contemporary tapestries from the biennials and other tapestry exhibitions. Slide sets are available for rental by member educators, scholars, architects, and designers. For more information check our Members section here.
Study Groups
The first two Study Groups were initiated during the fall of 2004. The descriptions of these groups is listed in our Members section. Additional study groups will be formed as interest dictates. If you would like to lead a Study Group, or participate in a Study Group, or if you have any other questions, please check our Members section here.
Archives
ATA believes that documenting the history of tapestry in North America can continue through its archive. Our library committee oversees an archive of catalogues, slides, newsletters, and other documents. These archives are accessible by members and scholars pursuing research projects.
Planning
In July 2002, ATA adopted a reorganization plan to increase the effectiveness of volunteers, increase the quality and quantity of programs, and set up structures to ensure the health of the organization. In September 2005, ATA has seven Board Members and more than twenty volunteers working in key committees. Roughly 85% of the reorganization plan has been implemented. The plan went through revisions and updates in 2004 for the 2004-2006 calendar years.
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