Old Town School of Folk Music Exec. Director Announces Retirement

CHICAGO — The Old Town School of Folk Music’s executive director announced Thursday that he's retiring. James Bau Graves, 66, has been with the school for more than a decade, but said recent health issues have led to his decision to retire.

Deputy Director Rashida Phillips will be the school's interim executive director while its board begins a "comprehensive process" to search for and appoint its next executive director, the school said in a media release.

“We deeply appreciate Bau’s many contributions to Old Town School of Folk Music during his service. From successful fundraising for, and construction of, the Lincoln Square campus to his vision for Old Town School making a local and international impact, he brought music and dance to countless people whose lives have been enriched by our programs,” said Kish Khemani, the school's board chairman, in the release. “We wish Bau well in his recovery to good health. We are grateful for his offer of continued support to help make this a smooth leadership transition.”

Graves was hospitalized in early November with serious blockages in three coronary arteries and has been on leave since that time, the school said.

During Graves' tenure, Old Town School secured the funds for the construction of its new East Building at 4545 N. Lincoln Ave. The new campus garnered national praise and recognition. Graves also built a program that sent more than 100 of its teachers on paid performance and education exchanges around the world, and created opportunities to bring even more global artists to Chicago for residencies at the School.

Graves also advocated for bringing the school's programs to neighborhoods across the city, with events such as Iron Heart Chicago, which included 60 concerts in one week on L platforms across the city, and The 77 Beats, which featured the unique music and cuisine of every neighborhood in the city.

“Throughout our history we’ve remained true to our philosophy that music and creative expression is for everyone. Musicians of all ages and abilities, from various cultures, traditions and walks of life come together to create music and learn from one another,” Graves said in a statement. “Yes, we teach the arts, and that is what brings us together. But equally important is our role in nurturing a sense of community. That is what our work is really about.”

Graves is a founding member and co-chair of Enrich Chicago, a consortium of arts organizations and foundations devoted to generating meaningful change in the patterns of systemic racism that predominate in the public arts arena. He also served as a long-time board member of Arts Alliance Illinois, and on numerous advisory and grant selection panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, DCASE, Chicago Community Trust, CMAP and multiple foundations.

His article, “Why Public Culture Fails at Diversity,” was published last year in the Oxford Handbook of Community Music. “The Original Gig Economy,” is forthcoming in an anthology, The Futures of Work. Graves has continued to pursue sporadic performance opportunities, as a soloist, with classes he taught at the School, and as a part of the School’s annual caroling party, Songs of Good Cheer.

In a letter to staff, Graves reflected on his tenure as executive director:

“It has been my honor and great privilege to serve Old Town School and its extended community for 11 years. They have been, by far, the most challenging — and deeply rewarding — years of my professional life. Being director of Old Town School is a total immersion experience, and it was my good fortune to have been immersed in a collective that is the most warm, welcoming, creative and, to me, loving community that I have ever experienced.”

After discussions with the community, the Old Town School of Folk Music is delaying the sale of its Lincoln Park building until the spring, its board of directors announced in December. The school announced in October that it was putting its iconic Lincoln Park campus up for sale and all proceeds would go its endowment fund. Many community members have since rallied to save the school — a petition garnered thousands of signatures and the group Save Old Town School was created.

Image via Google Maps Streetview