Executive Director Receives Fellowship

Executive Director, Kathleen Haughey Receives Dissertation Fellowship

With the financial support of a fellowship from Brown University, Vermont Folklife Center Executive Director Kathleen Haughey will be on leave until January 2020 in order to complete her dissertation and PhD in ethnomusicology. The Center’s board and staff are thrilled that Kathleen has this opportunity to finish her doctorate studies, which were underway when she accepted the position of VFC’s Executive Director.

“We will miss Kathleen this year, and we are delighted that she now has the time and the means to complete her dissertation,” said Ann Singiser, chair of VFC’s board of trustees.

While Kathleen will remain as Executive Director during the fellowship, her colleague, Andy Kolovos, will act as the Center's Associate Director, assuming her responsibilities until she returns. Kathleen will continue to work on vital VFC activities part time while on leave.

The music, arts and dance traditions of Vermont’s Bhutanese-Nepali refugee community are the focus of Kathleen’s thesis. “Kathleen’s research will contribute significantly our Archive and lay groundwork for future exhibits and programs,” said Andy. “This is an amazing opportunity for both Kathleen and VFC.”

“The work we do at the Folklife Center makes a palpable difference in the lives of traditional artists, cultural leaders, and their communities around the state, “ said Kathleen. “I’ve had the fortune to witness this on the ground for the past four years, and am thrilled to have the time now to write about the collaborative work we do—particularly among Vermont’s newly resettled communities. I want to thank the Folklife Center board, staff, donors, and community partners for their encouragement and support!”

For general administrative questions please contact Associate Director, Andy Kolovos (akolovos@vermontfolklifecenter.org). For education related inquiries, contact our Education Program Co-Coordinators, Mary Wesley (mwesley@vermontfolklifecenter.org) and Trish Denton (tdenton@vermontfolklifecenter.org). For Traditional Arts Apprenticeship inquiries, contact Mary Wesley.