Joseph R. Johnson Fellowship in Regional Music

In 2006, the Georgia Music Foundation, along with Fred and Dinah Gretsch, endowed the Joseph R. Johnson Fellowship at the University of West Georgia’s Center for Public History for graduate students to research and document the musical heritage of the state. The scholarship honors Joseph R. Johnson, founding curator at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, whose unbridled passion and enthusiasm for his work were an inspiration to many during his 15-year career with the museum. 

The Joseph Johnson Fellowship supports exciting collaborative work between the Georgia Music Foundation and the University of West Georgia Center for Public History

Past projects have included

  • developing a website on Sacred Harp music in Georgia,

  • conducting interviews with Georgia folklorists and producing a documentary on Georgia Blues traditions with those interviews,

  • creating an interpretive plan for the Capricorn Music Studios building in Macon,

  • serving on the scholar team for the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street New Harmonies exhibition in Georgia and assisting in producing the state catalog for the exhibition

  • documenting regional music traditions through oral history and research,

  • assisting with developing statewide educational programs, and

  • researching and writing articles for the Georgia Music website. 

Individuals interested in applying for the fellowship must be enrolled as full-time students in the University of West Georgia graduate program in public history during the fellowship period, either as an M.A. student or in the Public History or Museum Studies Certificate programs.  The position begins in August of each year so students must also apply no later than March of the previous year. The Fellowship provides a tuition waiver and stipend. The Fellowship may be renewed for a second year.

To apply, please send a resume and statement of interest to Dr. Ann McCleary, History Department, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118 or by email at amcclear@westga.edu by March 1 of each year.