On September 1, 2004, the Rowell Fund for Tibet of the International Campaign for Tibet will begin accepting applications for funding from Tibetans in the language and visual arts who can make significant contributions to their society.
During its first year, the Rowell Fund gave $37,240 to twelve Tibetans, most of whom were based in India, but several in Tibet, the US and the UK.
Galen Rowell was the Co-chair of ICT’s Board of Advisors and a longtime friend of Tibet. Together, Galen and Barbara produced the book My Tibet, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and introduced Tibet to countless people around the world. Through photographs and writing they documented and brought attention to many threatened ecosystems and cultures. Following the tragic deaths of Galen and Barbara Rowell in August 2002, ICT’s Board of Directors and close friends and family of the Rowell’s established a fund to carry on Galen and Barbara Rowell’s legacy in the Tibetan community.
Funds are raised each year specifically for this fund by ICT in conjunction with the Rowell Fund Board of Advisors. This year a fundraiser for the Rowell Fund is being held in Denver on September 7 featuring a lecture by the famous Everest mountaineer David Breashears.
Applications must be received during the month of September. Selection of grant recipients is done by the Funds Advisory Board in October and November and awardees are notified in December. The fund is only open to Tibetans working independently or for a Tibet support group or organization. The applicant must be central to the implementation of the project.