As shared by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage by Kirby Ewald In June, the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Music Unbound signed an agreement that expands beyond the existing Heritage in Motion project. It establishes a framework for joint programming and knowledge exchange, signaling shared, long-term commitment to preserving and elevating cultural … Read more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Denise Uyehara, Programs Manager in Artist Services duyehara@arizona.edu (520) 230-2807 April 16, 2026 Annual Award for Traditional Artists and Culture Bearers in Arizona Seeks Nominations Tucson, AZ – The Southwest Folklife Alliance (SFA), an affiliate of the University of Arizona’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the organizer of the Tucson … Read more
MEDIA ALERT MEDIA CONTACT: Denise Uyehara, duyehara@arizona.edu, (520) 621-4046 March 26, 2026 Southwest Folklife Alliance and Artists At Work Celebrate Working Artists and Resilience in Community Gathering WHAT: The Southwest Folklife Alliance (SFA) and Artists At Work (AAW) bring together Southern Arizona artists for a day of creativity and community. The event celebrates the role of … Read more
Feb. 4, 2026 For over a decade, the Southwest Folklife Alliance (SFA) has been providing direct monetary awards to heritage-based artists in Arizona to support them in passing on their artforms. Later this month, SFA convenes past and present recipients of the award in Tucson for the first time to celebrate, meet one another, and … Read more
We’re so thrilled to announce this year’s Master-Apprentice Artist Awardees, who were nominated by community members and selected by a panel of cultural leaders and peers. Congratulations to all the artists! They are: Bryce Antone, a weaver of traditional Tohono O’odham “giho,” or burden baskets, who will mentor his son, Terrence J. Antone. Deborah Brooks of the … Read more
This summer, the Southwest Folklife Alliance was honored to connect 15 traveling artists from Kazakhstan with heritage-based artists in Southern Arizona. The Kazakhstan Artisan Initiative is the first project of the Kazakhstan Cultural Heritage Fund and supports community-based work and cross-cultural exchange to strengthen cultural sustainability in Kazakhstan. The artists are members of the Union … Read more
The FreshGrass Foundation and THE OFFICE performing arts + film have announced the artists selected for their Artists At Work (AAW) initiative’s 2025-26 cohort. Working in Albuquerque, Dearborn, Indianapolis, Los Angeles County, New Orleans, and Tucson, these 24 artists will receive salaried employment, benefits, and wrap-around support for 18 months. They began their term on June … Read more
December 18, 2024 Designed and maintained by the Southwest Folklife Alliance, Loom.Market is a virtual marketplace where heritage-based artists can sell work, network and preserve cultural knowledge. Artists from all walks of life get together under the umbrella of Loom Market to support each other and to create community. Diseñado y mantenido por la Southwest … Read more
For Immediate Release Contact: Program Manager, Denise UyeharaPhone: 520-621-4046duyehara@arizona.edu December 12, 2024 Southwest Folklife Alliance Awards 10 Master Artists to Share and Transfer Cultural Knowledge Tucson, AZ— Southwest Folklife Alliance (SFA) is proud to present its 2024 Master-Apprentice Artist Award to a Hopi basketmaker, a White Mountain Apache basketmaker, a maker of White Mountain Apache traditional … Read more
We’re continuing to support Arizona-based traditional artists and culture bearers in passing on their artforms though our annual Master Apprentice Artist Award. This year we’ll be making 10 awards—$5,000 for the Master artist and $500 to the emerging artist. Nominations are open now through May 15. Artists are nominated by peers within their community, cultural … Read more