The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria is pleased to invite members of the media to the Keyes Art Mile Atrium in Rosebank on Thursday, November 15, for a grant signing ceremony and reception to recognize the awarding of a U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant to the Friends of JAG for over R900,000 (USD $64,761) to help preserve archival materials associated with the Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA).
 
Marianne Fassler, founding member of the Friends of Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jessica Lapenn will co-host the ceremony and deliver remarks, as well as special guest, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba, joined by the MMC for Community Development, Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba.
 
The Friends of JAG will use the AFCP grant to carry out a conservation and preservation project on important paper-based archival materials associated with the Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA).  The project will help protect the FUBA archives and, by extension, a vital part of South Africa’s artistic and cultural legacy.
 
The Friends of JAG was selected to receive the grant following a worldwide competition for funds provided by American Ambassadors in more than 100 countries to support the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects, and forms of traditional cultural expression.
 
Media are welcomed to arrive at the Atrium at Keyes Art Mile at 10:30 on November 15.  Keyes Art Mile is located at 21 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.
 
Interested media should RSVP to SchneiderCM@state.gov to request interviews with Chargé d’Affaires Lapenn or with Friends of JAG leadership.