I moved to NC from Milwaukee, WI in June 2020. I knew no-one when I arrived but as the world reopened, I felt welcomed by the Durham community. I loved the culture, art scene, history, and new friends I made and moved to Durham in 2023 feeling called here. Having previously done a variety of projects focusing on artists, I wanted to do it again in a new format- a podcast showcasing local creatives and the love they have for this city.

The Durham Artist Archive is an oral history podcast and archival project I launched in 2024 to document the evolution of Durham, North Carolina through the voices of its artists. Through in-person conversations, I capture how their creative practice intersects with Durham history, their personal memories, and their dreams for the future.

These conversations have included visual artists, poets, musicians, dancers, and more who are either based in Durham or deeply rooted in its creative ecosystem. Some of my favorite episodes of the almost thirty posted have featured drag queen and scientist Stormie Daie, photographer C Bay Milin, and painter Candy Carver.

The mission of the Durham Artist Archive is threefold:
1. To document the state of art and culture in Durham in real time,
2. To uplift and connect the local creative community,
3. And to preserve these narratives as a publicly accessible resource for future listeners, researchers, and residents interested in Durham’s cultural history and artistic legacy.

The reception to the podcast has been amazing. Since its inception, I've had 5k+ listens and an average of 150 plays per episode. I've also had the opportunity to record live sessions at North Star Church and the Griot and Grey Owl festival this past fall. As the podcast grows, I'd like more support to sustain it and this grant would be a major aid.