Kentucky Folklife Program

The mission of the Kentucky Folklife Program is to identify, document and conserve the state's diverse cultural traditions, generally referred to as folklife. An interagency program of the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Folklife Program strives to increase awareness of the state's folklife through diverse cultural programming.

The Kentucky Folklife Festival brings more than 30,000 people, including approximately 10,000 students, to Frankfort to learn about and celebrate the state's traditions.

Through community partnerships, we help local organizations research regional traditions; write grants; organize concerts, exhibits and festivals; and develop cultural heritage tourism programs.

In addition, we train teachers to use folklife in the classroom, develop curriculum materials and place folklorists and folk artists in school residences through our Folklife-in-the-Schools programs.

To encourage the perpetuation of folk traditions, the Kentucky Folklife Program provides a variety of services for folk artists, including the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship with one of the state's master artists.

To learn more about the study of folklife and Kentucky's unique cultural heritage, please contact us directly.



Bob Gates
Folklife Program Director
(502) 564-1792, ext. 4481
bob.gates@ky.gov

Mark Brown
Folklife Specialist
(502) 564-1792, ext. 4491
mark.brown@ky.gov

Alisha Martin
Folklife Specialist
(502) 564-1792, ext. 4555
alisha.martin@ky.gov