ICT has launched the Rowell Fund for Tibet, in memory of Barbara and Galen Rowell, to provide small grants to Tibetan photographers, filmmakers and writers. ICT has worked with Barbara and Galen’s families and close friends to honor their legacy and their commitment to Tibet.
Applications will be accepted in September, 2003. The details of the Fund are below and more information on the Rowell Fund is available at the links on the bottom.
The Rowell Fund for Tibet
Following the tragic death of Galen and Barbara Rowell in August 2002, ICT’s Board of Directors and close friends and family of the Rowells established a fund to carry on Galen and Barbara Rowell’s legacy in the Tibetan community.
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.
Purpose: To encourage and support the work of Tibetans communicating issues of importance to their community to a broader Tibetan or international audiences. The fund will honor Galen and Barbara Rowell’s legacy for Tibetans by providing small grants to Tibetans in the language and visual arts who can make significant contributions to society. The Fund will support established or aspiring and talented Tibetans pursuing interests such as photography, film-making, writing, journalism, and projects that promote these skills within the Tibetan community.
Examples of projects: photography, photo exhibitions, educational pamphlets, newsletters, book projects, translation projects, public speaking tours, video library, women’s issues and environmental awareness.
Eligibility: Tibetans from any country are eligible to apply. ICT encourages Tibetan men and women to apply as this fund honors the achievements of both Galen and Barbara and their teamwork as husband and wife. Tibetans working for organizations can apply on behalf of the organization as long as they are central to the implementation of its work.
Applications: To apply, send (1) a cover letter, (2) description of the project (no more than 3-5 pages), (3) a budget proposal (maximum US$5,000) and (4) names and contact information for two references. Applications will only be accepted from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, 2003. Applications can be sent by mail or e-mail. ICT will confirm the receipt of all applications. Send to: Rowell Fund for Tibet, International Campaign for Tibet, 1825 K St., NW, Suite 520, Washington DC, 20006. Or, e-mail to: RowellFund@savetibet.org.
Grant selection: Grant applications will be received and compiled by ICT staff and sent to the Advisory Board of the Rowell Fund for Tibet in late October. The Advisory Board will select grantees in November. Applicants will be notified in early December and funds will be distributed in mid-December. A report on the results of the project and how the funds were spent will be expected from all grant awardees. ICT expects to provide approximately US$30,000 or more, depending on fundraising, in grants in 2003. Small grant proposals ($500 – $1,000) are also encouraged as well as proposals that address issues inside Tibet.
Advisory Board: The advisory board, made up of friends and family of Galen and Barbara, currently consists of: John Ackerly, Conrad Anker, Justin Black, David Breashears, Jimmy Chin, Bob and Beth Cushman, Bob Palais and Ray and Nicole Rowell Ryan.
Rowell Fund/ICT Pledge: We pledge that 85% of all donations to the Rowell Fund for Tibet will be distributed as grants in Tibet, India, Nepal and elsewhere. 15% of donations will cover expenses of the International Campaign for Tibet, which runs the Fund.
To donate the Rowell Fund: make checks payable to the “Rowell Fund for Tibet/ICT” and send to ICT, 1825 K St., NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20006. All donations to the Fund are tax-deductible.
Questions? For more information about the Fund, please visit our website, www.savetibet.org. If you don’t find the answer there, please submit questions in writing to RowellFund@savetibet.org. For more information about Galen & Barbara Rowell, see www.mountainlight.com.
Galen Rowell
In 1972, at age 32, Galen dedicated his life to photography and wilderness exploration, working on many assignments for National Geographic and other publications. He went to the Himalayas more than 25 times and was one of the first Americans allowed into Tibet in the early 1980s, resulting in a highly acclaimed book, Mountains of the Middle Kingdom: Exploring the High Peaks of China and Tibet (1983).
Galen returned to Tibet in 1987 and 1988 and produced the book My Tibet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1990. But it was a lesser known article, “The Agony of Tibet,” in the Greenpeace magazine that year that had a profound impact on awareness of environmental dangers in Tibet. Galen’s last expedition in summer 2002 was back to Tibet with Conrad Anker, Rick Ridgeway and Jimmy Chin to document the birthing ground of the endangered Tibetan antelope.
Galen produced 18 books and in 1984 received the Ansel Adams Award for his contribution to the art of wilderness photography.
Barbara Cushman Rowell
Barbara Cushman Rowell was the guiding force behind the Mountain Light business from its inception and was the president of Mountain Light Photography. Barbara studied textiles and business and graduated in 1978 from the University of California at Davis with Highest Honors.
In 1981 she met Galen while working for The North Face as Director of Public Relations. They were married several months later. Barbara also pursued her own interests in flying; she was the company pilot for Mountain Light and flew Galen while he took aerial photographs.
Barbara traveled to Tibet numerous times and developed a passion for the country that continued throughout her life. Her photographs have been published in National Geographic and on book and magazine covers. She recently completed a book, Flying South: A Pilot’s Inner Journey.
