City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 6, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities for Immigration Alexandria Project, Phase II.
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ISSUE: Council consideration of a grant application to the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) to continue implementation of a city-wide interpretive initiative, Immigrant Alexandria: Past, Present, and Future project celebrating the history of diversity in Alexandria.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council authorize the City Manager to:
(1) Submit a grant application (due by April 15) to the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities; requesting $10,000 in funding; and
(2) Execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with the goals and objectives outlined in the Alexandria City Council Strategic Plan, as revised June 2010, the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) has begun implementation of a multi-year departmental work program highlighting the long history of cultural diversity in Alexandria. To achieve the strategic goals, the Immigrant Alexandria: Past, Present, and Future project consists of the following components to engage the public: archival research; consultation with recognized scholars and content experts; organization of a public symposium; development of oral histories of recent immigrants to the City, as well as representatives from various groups that have migrated to Alexandria over time; preliminary design for future interpretive formats to be funded in multiple phases that will include exhibits, cultural performances, films, special events and written materials.
The overall intention of this endeavor is for the public to have a better understanding of the historic and contemporary significance of immigration to Alexandria and the ways in which it has impacted our social and cultural fabric.
DISCUSSION: The City was awarded $8,000 from VFH for the first phase of the project in FY 2015 and these funds were accepted by City Council. This first phase involved the execution and transcription of audio and videotaped oral history interviews of more than twenty individuals representing different ethnic groups that have immigrated to Alexandria during the past fifty years. The next phase, the focus of the current application, will use these interviews to produce a 30 to 60-minute film on immigration to this region, including the reason and decision to come to and remain in Alexandria, and the legacy of those individuals and groups who have made major contributions to the social life and experience of our community and nation. Upon completion, the film will be shown publicly and become a permanent part of the City’s historic collections. It is anticipated that future applications to VFH will also be made to support continuation of this multi-year project, and those applications will be submitted to City Council for approval.
The VFH grant term is one year from the award date, which is expected to be announced by June 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT: The VFH grant requires a City contribution towards total project costs which will be met within the approved FY 2016 departmental budget, including staff salaries and benefits, of $10,000. No additional City funds are required.
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria