Museum of International Folk Art

Museum of International Folk Art

North Central region of New MexicoFolk art is the art of the everyday rooted in traditions that come from community and culture and expresses cultural identity by conveying shared community values and aesthetics.

It encompasses a range of utilitarian and decorative media, including cloth, wood, paper, clay, metal and more. If traditional materials are inaccessible, new materials are often substituted, resulting in contemporary expressions of traditional folk art forms. Reflecting traditional art forms of diverse community groups-ethnic, tribal, religious, occupational, geographical, age- or gender-based-who identify with each other and society at large while made by individuals whose creative skills convey their community's authentic cultural identity, rather than an individual or idiosyncratic artistic identity.

Folk artists traditionally learn skills and techniques through apprenticeships in informal community settings, though they may also be formally educated.

Museum of International Folk Art
Museum Hill,
706 Camino Lejo
Santa Fe, NM87505
Phone: (505) 476-1200
www.internationalfolkart.org