Folk Arts

The goal of the Folk Arts Program is to support and sustain traditional performing and visual art forms practiced in New Mexico.

Folk and traditional arts are the culturally-specific, traditional, functional, and expressive arts practiced and passed down within a cultural community or group.  Common types of cultural groups include: family, occupational, ethnic, or religious. Folk and traditional arts reflect the values and worldviews of the groups that practice them and are part of a rich and valuable heritage for all New Mexicans.

The program provides grants for traditional folk arts projects and folk arts apprenticeships; conducts fieldwork and documentation of traditional arts in New Mexico; and presents programming to further highlight traditional art forms being practiced in the region.

The Traditional Folk Arts Projects grant category supports organizations, Indian tribal government entities, local governments, and universities whose programs further, showcase, and help to perpetuate the various traditional arts practiced in the State of New Mexico.

The Folk Arts Apprenticeship program contracts with master folk artists to teach their art forms to dedicated apprentices. The apprenticeship provides one-on-one learning experiences for artist engaged traditional art forms. Folk Arts Apprenticeships are funded through New Mexico Arts’ Partnership Agreement with the National Endowment for the Arts and have specific guidelines and application process. Find current apprenticeship guidelines and grant application information here.