Korean fan dance Secondline, Olympia Brass Band

Welcome

The Louisiana Regional Folklife Program, a public program of the Louisiana Division of the Arts, is hosted in southeast Louisiana by the University of New Orleans and is directed by Dr. Laura R. Westbrook. The program is dedicated to the documentation, presentation, and support of Louisiana's rich cultural heritage.

Whether sung or told, hand-crafted or performed, Louisiana's cultural heritage encompasses those "arts of everyday life" and traditional knowledge that enhance our connection to community and establish Louisiana's unique sense of place.

In southeast Louisiana, Dr. Laura R. Westbrook assists communities in the parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany to document their traditions and to include local culture in arenas such as public planning, event programming, education, media presentations, and cultural- and eco-tourism. Much of this is done by helping organizations develop projects that both nurture traditional creative arts and present local culture to the public.

Information about grant opportunities can be obtained by contacting the administrative office at the Louisiana Folklife Program in Baton Rouge.

History

The Louisiana Regional Folklife Program was established at the University of New Orleans in 1999 in collaboration with the Louisiana Division of the Arts, with a mission to promote the preservation and understanding of traditional arts and culture. The History Department houses the program office, and documentary materials are archived at the university's Earl K. Long Library. From its inception, the Folklife Program has supported programs and projects that recognize, document, and present traditional culture in southeast Louisiana.

A sampling of finished birds carved and painted by Mr. Al Muller Teresa Augustin and Elsie Bowers with crocheted yo-yo quilt

Mission

Most U.S. states and territories have folklife or folk arts programs, typically based with state arts councils or historical societies. The Louisiana Regional Folklife Program is hosted by state universities (see Other Regions). The basic mission of the Louisiana Regional Folklife Program is much like that of other state programs, to:

  • document the diverse traditional culture(s) of Louisiana;
  • advance understanding and appreciation of traditional culture through the development of public programs;
  • reinforce folk traditions by helping:
    • traditional artists and performers learn about resources and opportunities, and
    • communities develop plans and projects to strengthen their own cultural traditions.

This work has enabled the regional folklorist to:

  • explore new formats for presenting Louisiana culture and arts in order to maximize interpretive content;
  • document and present cultural traditions in the natural context of the communities in which they thrive;
  • enhance the interpretive content of existing, or planned, programs and exhibits;
  • assist groups to document, interpret, and present their traditions; and
  • plan initiatives with long-range benefits for tradition-bearers and their communities.

Projects

Coming Soon

Check back regularly for more articles and information.

  • All Saints' Day & All Souls' Day
  • Asian Dance Traditions
  • Barataria Trappers
  • Louisiana's Traditional Boatbuilders