Dear Friend of Gay Rodeo,
As President of the International Gay Rodeo Association I am writing to request your support as a sponsor of the Gay Rodeo Legacy Project. This project will bring the incredible 25 year history of IGRA, out of basement archives in Colorado into the public domain at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles California. You can see the work of the Autry Museum at www.autrynationalcenter.org
The Autry National Center celebrates the American West through three important institutions: the Museum of the American West, the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, and the Institute for the Study of the American West. The Autry was established in 2003 following the merger of the Southwest Museum, the Women of the West Museum, and the Museum of the American West (formerly the Autry Museum of Western Heritage). Through innovative exhibitions, a broad range of programs and extensive collection of art and artifacts, the Autry National Center explores the distinct stories and interactions of cultures and peoples, and their impact on the complex, evolving history of the American West.
Our initial goal is to raise $5000 to underwrite the Gay Rodeo Legacy Project (GRLP). Funds will be used to pay for consulting curatorial services and expenses, archival services, scanning, storage and shipping costs associated with the International Gay Rodeo Association's (IGRA) donation of its archives to the Autry National Center.
The Consulting Curator, Gregory Hinton has created, researched, prepared and then promoted the GRLP to several prominent Western Museums and Research Libraries with the permission of IGRA. After considering two offers to house the IGRA archives, the IGRA Board of Directors voted unanimously to donate the extensive archive to the Autry National Center in Los Angeles.
Upon analyzing the IGRA archives located in Denver, Gregory Hinton, along with Patrick Terry, IGRA Historian and Archivist, will oversee the shipment of the archives to the Autry National Center in Los Angeles. Once the shipment arrives in California, Hinton will observe and consult with Autry curators and archivists as they inventory the archives, and select the best examples of what they deem significant to retain. Duplicates will then be packed and returned to IGRA for retention or distribution to other archival institutions.
Below is a copy our Sponsorship Levels. It is my sincere hope that you will choose to support this opportunity. Our Goal is to raise the Phase one funds by December 31, 2009
Sincerely,
John King
Honorary Chair
Brian Helander
President, International Gay Rodeo Association
The Autry National Center Museum
Recently the Board of IGRA approved the move of the IGRA Archives to the Autry National Center Museum of the American West who have recognized the contribution that the International Gay Rodeo Association has made to rodeo, they have invited IGRA to submit its archives to be held permanently in their collection in Los Angeles.
We already have a good collection of posters and brochures on hand. To augment IGRA's existing archives and memorabilia currently stored in Denver, a list of items we do not have has been compiled which might enhance the collection. This includes:
- Assorted Historically significant Buckles;
- A trophy saddle with personally tooled fenders; (referencing Gay Rodeo or Gay Western Culture)
- IGRA Flags (or member associations) used for opening ceremonies;
- IGRA Rodeo School posters or banners; Horse blankets with gay rodeo association logos;
- Competitor Western Shirts; patches, kerchiefs, decorated chaps, belts, cowboy hats, gloves, rigging bags, ropes, bells, boots, spurs - again, referencing gay rodeo or gay western culture.
- Rodeo Scrapbooks, rule books and documents
- Rare Rodeo Posters (original art work or early posters you think we might not have)
- Photos of Rodeo Royalty, Competitors and Champions (identified)
- Miscellaneous Rodeo Photos and video of behind the scenes Gay Rodeo, including rites-of-passage: families, marriages, funerals. (identified, please)
- Early letters regarding the formation of Gay Rodeo and IGRA, especially from Phil Ragsdale, Jon King, and Wayne Jakino.
- Original Letters of Endorsement/Rejection from Elected Officials or Benefactors
The goal for now is to make the Autry curators aware what is available, should they wish to mount a display case or an exhibition. We would like to assemble a small survey of the above items to forward with the archives.
If you have an item you think might be of interest, even not listed, please take a photo, and attach it with an email of explanation to: patrick.terry@att.net and a cc to: president@igra.com
Please do not send anything without being invited to do so. We will notify you. If we don't request it, it is no reflection on you, its value, or rightful place in IGRA history. It might be useful later on.
PLEASE NOTE: Donations will be made to IGRA and will NOT be tax deductible. Exhibition in the museum is NOT guaranteed and CANNOT be returned after they have been donated.
Your generosity will be appreciated by future generations of GBLT Cowboys and Cowgirls.
Gay Rodeo Legacy Project
"A lot of people who grow up in rural communities come to the big city and then we lose our identities. The gay rodeo is a place for us to reclaim our heritage and be ourselves. It's a place where we fit in."
John King
Honorary Chair & Golden State Gay Rodeo Association
The Gay Rodeo Legacy Project (GRLP) will provide funds necessary for curatorial and archival services, scanning, storage and shipping costs associated with the International Gay Rodeo Association's (IGRA) donation of its archives to the Autry National Center in Los Angeles.
Sponsorship Levels
Donate Through PayPalChose your own ammountor select from one of our Premiere options below |
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