Who We Are
The North Carolina Folklife Institute (NCFI) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting the diverse folklife and traditional arts of North Carolina.
North Carolina is home to generations of deeply rooted cultural traditions expressed through music, foodways, craft, storytelling, labor, and celebration. These living traditions shape community identity and foster intergenerational connection. NCFI exists to serve the communities that carry and sustain these traditions.
We work in partnership with tradition-bearers, community scholars, artists, and local leaders to document, archive, and share their cultural knowledge helping to preserve their stories, amplify their voices, and strengthen the social fabric of the state. We also provide resources and support that foster resilience and collaboration within North Carolina’s vibrant folklife communities.
Our Mission
The mission of the North Carolina Folklife Institute is to promote the preservation, appreciation, and understanding of folklife heritage and culture across North Carolina.
We fulfill this mission through fieldwork, community engagement, event production, cultural documentation, print and audio publications, and by building connections across a statewide network of community leaders and folk and traditional artists.
Our Values
At the heart of our work are the values that guide how we collaborate, listen, and lead:
Community-Centered
We honor and prioritize the knowledge, creativity, and leadership of the communities we serve. Folklife belongs to the people who carry it.
Cultural Equity
We believe in equitable representation and access, and we work to amplify voices and traditions historically excluded from dominant narratives.
Stewardship
We approach documentation and archiving with respect and care, ensuring that cultural materials are preserved with integrity and shared with purpose.
Collaboration
We are at our best when we work in partnership with tradition-bearers, organizations, artists, educators, and communities.
Continuity & Change
We recognize folklife as both rooted in history and responsive to the present – constantly evolving through lived experience and creative expression.
Learning & Listening
We value lifelong learning and thoughtful listening as essential practices in understanding culture and building trust.
These values inform every project, relationship, and decision we make as we work to celebrate the depth, diversity, and dynamism of folklife in North Carolina.
Our People
Staff
