top of page
A logo with NCTA over a red circle, with National Council for the Traditional Arts in a ring around the circle

National Council for the Traditional Arts

Building community and cultural understanding through vibrant events celebrating the artistic traditions of all Americans

The National Council for the Traditional Arts is the longest-running folk arts organization in the nation, and the only one committed to producing live, traditional arts events and programs throughout the entire country. Since 1933, the NCTA has celebrated the artistic traditions of all Americans through programs that provide powerful, deeply rooted cultural experiences—inspiring people to connect, to cultivate common ground, and to appreciate the richness and diversity of our nation’s complex culture.

Major Programs

Wylie Gustafson, a country singer, in a cowboy hat and playing guitar in front of a National Folk Festival banner

National Folk Festival

The National Folk Festival is the premier folk and traditional arts festival in the nation.

Kora player Sona Jobarteh performing at the Lowell Folk Festival

Partner Festivals

The NCTA continues to partner with a number of former National Folk Festival host cities.

TahNibaa Naataanii leads a workshop on Navajo fiber traditions at Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Other Programs

Learn more about our work celebrating traditional artists across America.

The NCTA audio archive contains over 10,000 hours (and growing) of precious field and live- event recordings dating from the 1930s. A multi-year project to preserve and digitize the entire collection is underway; significant portions of preserved collection materials are now housed at the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.

IMG_2966.heic

News & Events

bottom of page