Folklife Futures Unfold as Community Voices Shape the Archive

Every year, the American Folklife Center opens its doors to community storytellers, inviting them to help shape the nation’s cultural memory. The Community Collections Grants program isn’t just about paperwork—it’s a call for local groups to preserve their unique traditions, music, and oral histories for future generations. This summer, the Center’s team is offering a final online session to demystify the application process, ensuring that even first-time applicants can navigate the steps with confidence. Recordings and updated FAQs are available for those who want to dig deeper, making the process as transparent as possible. By welcoming a chorus of perspectives, the program transforms the archive into a living, breathing reflection of America’s diversity. When communities take the lead, the nation’s story grows richer, one collection at a time. #Folklife #CommunityHeritage #CulturalPreservation #Culture