Our Story

Folk Horizons was formed by several individuals that recognized the need to improve access to, and encourage the expression of, traditional folk arts. Our mission is to involve individuals in folk music, dance, song, and storytelling. We also strive to create performance opportunities for artists that are members of the folk arts community.

We believe that people involved in a folk activity develop a heightened awareness of folk traditions. The experience often becomes a catalyst for long term involvement and support of the folk arts.

The charter of Folk Horizons is to promote the folk arts through presentation, education, and participation. The productions of Folk Horizons are open to the public. Many of our events are free of charge.

Presentation

Our efforts to support the presentation of traditional folk arts include identifying performance opportunities for artists living in America and international performers that intend to visit America. We also assist with placing American performers in performance venues located outside of the United States.

 

 

Traditional singers Danny McLeod, Joyce McLeod, and Lou Killen, natives of Newcastle, Northumbria (UK), appearing in concert at the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival 2000 (Folk Horizons production)

We create opportunities to include performers in broadcasting productions. Folk programs on regional public radio stations are common experiences.
 
Traditional singer Jerry Bryant on "The Folk Show"
of New Hampshire Public Radio

Education

Within all of the productions of Folk Horizons, emphasis is placed on education. Involving youth and encouraging their participation is a priority of the organization.

 

Children's Program with Performer Jeff Warner

  
 

Youth performer Chris Stevens (center with concertina) of local community with visiting performers of the group " Forebitter" from Mystic, Connecticut

Participation

We also place emphasis on offering programs that include participation. An activity can involve joining in a folk dance, an opportunity to sing, or participating in a folk tradition.

 
Shanty work song demonstration with Shantyman and participants

 

 

 Wherever possible, we strive to strengthen a sense of community. Our efforts include the involvement of individuals, businesses, civic groups, and non-profit organizations in the creation and management of folk programming. The Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, a weekend event created in 2000 in the coastal city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire (USA), is now a locally organized community event.

Folk Horizons is an educational, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization aligned with The North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance in Silver Spring, Maryland (USA). We accept donations of funding and relevant products or services for our programs from individuals and corporate sponsors. Donations are tax deductible.

Volunteer support is often needed for our events. Opportunities also exist for individuals with specialized skills to strengthen our board of directors and assist with the further development of our programs.