As IT marks its 40TH anniversary, urban bush women will improve the management, preservation, and accessibility of its collections

Urban Bush Women Inc., doing business as Urban Bush Women, was awarded a $430,500 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Save America's Treasures federal grant program (CFDA 15.929). The funding will support efforts from October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2025 to improve the management, preservation, and accessibility of Urban Bush Women's archival collections documenting the work of choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and the organization from 1984 to present. A part-time archival assistant will work with project staff to properly document, rehouse, and digitize audio/visual materials, print materials, performance costumes, textiles, and magnetic storage media according to archival standards to preserve this collection chronicling four decades of influential choreography bringing attention to racial equity and social justice in American dance history.

The archival collection encompasses four decades of rich history, documenting jawole zollar's research, choreographic notes, performance scripts, sheet music, and directors' notes which zollar ensured were retained in the development of her many works. Jawole zollar's choreography was an influential movement in american dance history and brought attention to racial equity and social justice. Archival formats from 1984 to present day include audio/visual materials, print materials, performance costumes, textiles, and magnetics (floppy disks and hard drives). A part-time archival assistant will work with project staff to properly document, rehouse, and digitize the materials according to archival standards.