What is Folk Art?

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.

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 may 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 other questions, or for more information, please contact either Dr. Maribel Alvarez at the University of Arizona, Southwest Center at 520/621-2484 or email alvarezm@u.arizona.edu or contact Mitch Menchaca at the Arizona Commission on the Arts at 602/229-8229 or email mmenchaca@azarts.gov.  

<<back to purpose/goals