The Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation (which sponsors and maintains the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame) is an all-volunteer, non-profit corporation dedicated to educating the general public about the historical significance of jazz in Arkansas. Foundation membership (with annual dues of $20 payable on 1 July) is open to any adult interested in the preservation, celebration, and promotion of jazz in Arkansas. In addition to its own educational activities and special events, the AJHF supports (through donations and/or volunteerism) some jazz-related projects of several "shared-mission" nonprofits/agencies: Arkansas Jazz Educators, Art Porter Music Education, Central Arkansas Library System/Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Department of Arkansas Heritage/Mosaic Templars Cultural Center/Old State House Museum/Arkansas Arts Council/Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (e.g., Taborian Hall/Dreamland Ballroom). The Foundation's organizational profile and membership application, as well as a reference sheet for the Hall of Fame and list of recommended resources, are available under "Downloads" at www.arjazz.org and from AJHF Secretary James Thomson (501.661.1604, [email protected]), who several times each week posts announcements related to Arkansas jazz artists/events/venues on the Foundation's page. (Information about Arkansas jazz venues can be found at www.jazznearyou.com.) Though it provides some current materials under "Downloads," the AJHF website (www.arjazz.org) serves primarily as an archival reference; its Hall of Fame section (arranged by year, beginning in 1994) contains information about Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame inductees. (Each website page links to the Foundation's page.) The Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation's Articles of Incorporation (approved by the State of Arkansas on 7 January 1992) were filed by James Thomson and Blake Hendrix, Attorney-at-Law. The most current certificate of good standing (under Online Certificate Authorization Code No. 5837b74f1676a6b) was re-verified on 17 July 2017 by Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin. AJHF officers for 2020-2021) are President Michael L. Cobb (CPA; Audit Partner at Cobb and Suskie, Ltd), Vice President Clay Hooten (Director of Bands for Dardanelle Public Schools), Secretary James Thomson (1992 Incorporator and Past President), and Treasurer Melissa Woods (Past Guides Chair - CALS Arkansas Literary Festival). AJHF directors for 2020-2021 are Benita Porter Browning (Executive Director for Art Porter Music Education; daughter of 1994 Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Art Porter, Sr. and sister of 1998 Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Art Porter, Jr.), Chalk Mitchell (Judge Arkansas 1st District), and Nan Maureen Renaud (Jazz Singer - Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame 2018). An annotated album titled "AJHF Board" is provided under "Photos" near the top of the Foundation's page. The AJHF board holds its board meetings (excluding the annual meeting in June) in the conference room (Suite 400) near the offices of Cobb and Suskie, Ltd. at One Financial Center (650 South Shackleford Road, Little Rock 72211) but meetings currently are virtual via due to Covid-19 emergency 2020-2021. Regular executive-board meetings are held near the end of each quarter (September, December, March, June); special full-board meetings are held near the beginning, mid-point, and end of each year (July, January, June). Specific dates for 2020-2021 meetings are provided in the quick-reference post pinned to the top of the timeline on the Foundation's page.
