Northwest Folklife

Northwest Folklife is an independent arts organization that celebrates the multigenerational arts, cultures, and traditions of a global Pacific Northwest, 365 days a year, creating opportunities for all to celebrate, share, and participate in the evolving cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest. We envision strong communities, united by arts and culture. Northwest Folklife stands for the belief that the arts invigorate and revitalize interpersonal connections and sense of community. When people share aspects of their culture, opportunities are created to dissolve misunderstandings, break down stereotypes, and increase respect for one another. Exposure to world cultures and the creativity of folks as a big neighborhood resonates for people of all ages, throughout their lives. By preserving cultural heritage we promote its evolution. Everyone is a bearer of folk arts; and participation in the arts is as important as observing them. Northwest Folklife relies on the diverse communities of the Pacific Northwest to inspire programs and collaborates with these communities to develop public presentations of their arts and culture. We see that interaction with new audiences enriches presenting communities and artists as much as the audience. Access to multicultural arts and culture programming without barrier of admission charge is important to Northwest Folklife’s ethos of equity. Donations of money, time, and talent make Northwest Folklife community-powered.