Karen Howard

In every community, there are devoted people behind the scenes helping to make the folk music scene vibrant, thriving by keeping the wheels rolling. Whether it's a longtime volunteer at a folk club or house concert series, a festival or venue director, a local folk radio host, or a writer who reviews CDs or concerts - one common thread is that these people love the music. They are passionate about serving artists and fans and making sure the folk scene in their community is strong and active.

We chose the name Folk Spokes from listener submissions for Folk Alley's new feature because spokes support wheels while connecting an unbroken circle of the best of musical traditions. Folk Spokes is an opportunity for you to nominate the unsung individuals (or spokes) in your community and to give them a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

I would like to nominate Karen Howard of Rockton, Illinois.

With more than 30 years in the performing arts field, Karen is a priceless asset to Charlotte's Web for the Performing Arts and the Rockton area arts community. She has produced and promoted over 3000 shows at the “old” Charlotte’s Web, (1972-1983); programmed the Left Bank Stage at Rockford’s On The Waterfront Festival, (1987-present); developed and was Co-Chair for the first two years for First Night Rockford and was Chair of Programming, (1991-1993). Karen was Vice President of Programming for the Rockford Area Arts Council, (1987-1993); she serves as a member of the Mendelssohn Club board of directors as Folk Music Representative and on the concert committee, (1994-present). She was a member of the board of directors of the Muses of Rockford, (1996-2001); Program Vice President of the Hononegah Community Arts Council in Rockton, (1995-1999); member of the board of directors for River District Association, (2000-2003); permanent member of the RAMI, (Rockford Area Music Industry Awards), committee, (1993-present); President of the Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts board of directors, (1989-1992) and Executive Director of Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts, (1992-present). Karen has also served on many Illinois Arts Council panels including grants review and Illinois ArtsTour Roster applications and was a member of the speakers’ panel for the Artist Showcase Conference, 2005.