The Feel of Samba: Stories from Utah's Samba Community

As public funding for the arts continues to face the threat of local and federal budget cuts, advocacy has become increasingly important. The purpose of this project is to use the power of story to create an advocacy tool by providing an example of how participatory arts, and music participation in particular, benefit society. This project involved gathering the stories of individuals who participate in Samba music in Salt Lake City, Utah. Using recorded interviews, an online video was created that demonstrates the impact of their participation. The interviews suggest that Samba participants gain benefits from both their participation in music and the cultural education that Samba can provide.