Folk Arts
Guitarras Andinas at the Arts Exchange
Folk Art is artwork, storytelling and performance that emanates from families and communities out of the rich traditions of their ancestors. Folk Arts are typically not learned in art schools, conservatories or dance academies, but from parents, grandparents, skilled mentors and cultural community leaders. These artists don’t strive to make totally original expressions; instead their art expresses something very deep about their roots. In celebrating folk traditions, ArtsWestchester seeks to acknowledge and honor the places of origin of Westchester’s many immigrant communities, and how they enrich our lives, our communities and culture right here.
ArtsWestchester entered the field of folk arts in 1996, documenting the work of local stone masons, expanding to Mexican paper crafts and Irish music and dance traditions.
Tijeras Dance at the Arts Exchange
Today, the Folk Arts Program:
- celebrates Westchester’s cultural diversity with annual exhibits, performances and collaborations
- identifies, documents, and showcases traditional artists of exceptional ability in music, dance, verbal, material and occupational arts
- conducts outreach projects to help affiliates incorporate folk arts into their own programs
- provides technical assistance to folk and traditional artists and artistic referrals to other cultural organizations and presenters
> Call to artists
> Folk Arts resources
> Folk Arts Forum
Learn about the 2010 Latin-American Cultural Project:
> 2010 Latin-American Cultural Project
View past programs: 2009 2008 2007 2006 2004
The Folk Arts program receives support from the New York State Council on the Arts and from the National Endowment for the Arts.
