Our Mission
We build more equitable and vibrant communities by celebrating the everyday expressions of culture, heritage, and diversity rooted in the Greater Southwest and U.S. Mexico Border Corridor. Nationally, we amplify models and methods of meaningful cultural work that center traditional knowledge, social equity, and collaboration.
We do this by:
- Producing festivals and public programs that increase understanding and respect for folklife practices
- Providing direct support to heritage-based artists in the region
- Documenting folklife and amplifying the voices of artists and cultural workers engaged in folklife practices
What is Folklife?
Folklife refers to things people make, say, and do in shared groups — the everyday creativity, knowledge, and expressions that define who we are and how we belong. It lives in the food passed down through generations, in songs sung during celebrations, in crafts taught hand to hand, in stories told on front porches and at kitchen tables. Not a relic of the past, folklife is right now, alive, adaptive, and essential.
At SFA, we also view folklife as a resource communities already have and can tap into to better know themselves, connect across difference, and build toward the futures they deserve.
Who We Serve
Through public cultural events, artist fellowships, participatory action research, and community economic development initiatives, SFA serves artists as well as folk, traditional, and cultural communities across Arizona and the greater Southwest.
How We “Lead From Behind”
We view equity work as an ongoing responsibility where we orient—always—towards justice. We recognize that systems of oppression differentially impact folk and traditional communities and their ability to express themselves with dignity and respect. We build respect for multiple worldviews by amplifying traditional knowledge and folklife practices.
Cooperation
We look for ways to expand access to resources for those who need them.
Collaboration
We work to expand and redistribute wealth by eliminating barriers to opportunity.
Inclusion
We make space at the table for those who have been left out.
Dancers with fans at TMY 2025. Photo Steven Meckler
Georgette Tabu sings at TMY 2025
photo by Steven Meckler
Adobe brick maker, TMY 2025.
photo by Steven Meckler