Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation

With Articles of Incorporation issued by the State of Arkansas on 7 January 1992, the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation (which sponsors and maintains the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame, established in 1994) is an all-volunteer, non-profit corporation dedicated to educating the general public about the historical significance of jazz in Arkansas.  In addition to its own ongoing educational activities, the Foundation supports (through donations/volunteerism) jazz-related programs/events sponsored by other "shared-mission" agencies/nonprofits.  The Foundation's educational activities and Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame induction ceremonies (held in even-numbered years) are funded by dues, donations, and proceeds from one annual fundraising event.  Foundation membership is open to any adult interested in preserving, celebrating, and promoting jazz in Arkansas;   a current membership application must be submitted with annual dues ($20 payable 1 July) from anyone who has not filed that form since 2013.  The membership application (along with a profile of the Foundation, a list of recommended resources, and an Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame reference sheet) is provided in PDF under "Downloads" at www.arjazz.org, which profiles Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame inductees under "Hall of Fame."  Each website page links to the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation's page at https://www.facebook.com, where several times each week AJHF Secretary Alita Mantels posts info and photos related to jazz artists/events/venues in Arkansas.  As Arkansas Editor for All About Jazz/Jazz Near You, she also posts details about some venues and upcoming events at www.jazznearyou.com, which provides a weekly e-newsletter (free with sign-up under "More" on each website page).     

The AJHF operates on a fiscal year beginning 1 July.  In addition to regular quarterly meetings (in September, December, March, and June), the AJHF board holds two special meetings (in July and January) and an annual audit meeting (in late June).  The AJHF's annual meeting (open to active members in good standing) is held in June and followed by a fundraising jazz celebration open to the public.  All board meetings are held at The Afterthought (2721 Kavanaugh Boulevard in the historic Hillcrest neighborhood) because it is the only Little Rock venue which has presented live jazz continuously - at least once a week - since the 1970s.  There are no required meetings for general members.  However, President James Thomson (501.225.2891, arjazzman@sbcglobal.net) or Secretary Alita Mantels (501.661.1604, alita.mantels@sbcglobal.net) is available to members, prospective members, and the public during optional meet-and-greets scheduled several times each month (at various jazz venues in Little Rock) and announced on the Foundation's Facebook page.  Mail for the AJHF should be addressed to The Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation, P. O. Box 251187, Little Rock, AR 72225-1187.