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 Folk Arts
Program
There are many different interpretations of
what folk art is, or who is a "folk artist".
Folk
Art is defined as
artistic and cultural traditions shared by a group and maintained over time.
Folk groups can be defined by a wide variety of factors such as occupation,
recreation, religion, ethnicity, or geography. When folklorists study a folk
group, they explore the group’s customs, beliefs, technical skills,
handicrafts, arts, rituals, and oral traditions. However, people often think of
the Folk Arts as something “other” people have, most of us participate in
several folk groups during an ordinary day. Whenever we join a club or play on a
team, for instance, we partake in recreational Folk Arts. Similarly, family and
community Folk Arts influence the way we celebrate holidays and birthdays.
One
common misconception about the Folk Arts is that it is old-fashioned or
obsolete. While some traditions have a long history, older customs change and
new Folk Arts constantly emerges.
Sometimes
change comes from within an established folk group, such as when children invent
a new game or a boat builder utilizes technological innovations. Other times,
change comes from outside a region’s traditional folk groups. When members of
an ethnic group migrate to a new area, for example, the Folk Arts of both groups
often changes. Folk Arts, in other words, is a dynamic process rather than
something set in stone.
While
this definition is one of many for the term, others can be found on the
Web. For some of these definitions, please use the URL provided. What
is Folk Art?
For assistance, please contact Mitch Menchaca, Director of State
and Local Partnerships
at (602) 771-6529 or email
mmenchaca@azarts.gov
or contact Jaya Rao,
Accessibility and State and Local Partnerships
Coordinator at (602) 771-6532 or email jrao@azarts.gov.
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