WHAT WE DO Established in 1978 as a non-profit corporation under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, Project Troubador works to bridge cultural, racial and ethnic gaps while modernizing the ancient concept of the troubadour. By sending musicians, dancers and mimes to developing areas of the world, we strive to provide another view of America and Americans through performance and interaction with our audiences. By bringing our experiences back to American audiences, we work to raise the public's awareness of distant cultures and to illuminate new ways of integrating the "world family." HOW IT WORKS Project Troubador sends musicians, clowns, jugglers, mimes, dancers, etc. to perform in cultural centers, schools, hospitals, orphanages, town squares, churches, and marketplaces throughout what is considered the "third world". Emphasis is placed on spanning cultural and linguistic differences and on sharing artistic traditions on a personal level. By organizing shows in collaboration with local community action groups and non-governmental organizations in host countries, Project Troubador strengthens the grass-roots relationship between these organizations and the people they serve. Troubadors have performed on behalf of HIV/AIDS prevention, rain forest preservation, literacy programs, well building, communities for the visually impaired, maternal-child health and family planning initiatives to name a few. All shows are free of charge. Returning Troubadors bring their experiences home in many ways. Workshops and performances form the backbone of our school programs, exposing children here in the U.S. to the rich traditions of diverse cultures through live performance and audio-visual presentations. The Project Troubador Grove Festival is an international folk arts festival in our own backyard, an annual celebration of music, dance and humor from around the world. Project Troubador has been featured nationally on NPR's All Things Considered and Monitor Radio, and internationally on NBC, CNN and Voice of America programming. In addition to the contributing membership that is the life blood of our effort, financial support for this work is generated through private donations, foundation and corporate support, and in kind assistance from collaborating organizations both here and abroad. WHO WE ARE... Project Troubador consists of a board of directors, an Executive Director, an Artistic Director, and an ever expanding group of contributing members, volunteers and performing artists. In all aspects of our membership, we strive to be as diverse as possible. Since our inception in 1978, traveling by plane, barge, dugout canoe, bus, car, mule and on foot we have performed in person for over 250,000 people. We have appeared on national TV and radio both here and abroad while sending 75 performing artists to 15 countries. STAFF Louise Lindenmeyr—Executive Director In addition to being a performing musician, Executive Director Louise Lindenmeyr works as a Family Nurse Practitioner both here in the U.S. and in Latin America. She has been involved with every aspect of the organization since its inception and has been instrumental in steering Project Troubador toward a greater collaborative involvement with grassroots community organizations in the developing world. When not "troubadouring" or addressing the health needs of the latino community, Louise plays mandolin, button box accordion and sings with the Joint Chiefs. Eliot Osborn—Founder and Artistic Director Founder and Artistic Director Eliot Osborn is a musician and music educator. He teaches music privately and in a variety of special education settings with a particular interest in working with the visually impaired community. Project Troubador grew out of his experiences performing in Africa from 1971-72. An accomplished singer, Eliot plays guitar and keyboards, has received songwriting awards from The American Song Festival, Billboard, and We Are Listening and performs regularly with both The Joint Chiefs and The Outerspace Band.