The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) The NCTA is the nation’s oldest multicultural arts presenting organization. For over eight decades, through festivals, tours, symposia, exhibits, and media productions, the NCTA has showcased the very best of the myriad grassroots folk, tribal and ethnic cultures that comprise our diverse nation.
2025
- 16 September2025 National Heritage Fellowship
- 14 AugustMississippi Artists Highlighted in Latest Artist Announcement for 82nd National Folk Festival, November 7-9, 2025
- 14 AugustArtists Announced for Family Area & Street Performances at 82nd National Folk Festival, November 7-9, 2025
- 5 JuneSix More Artists Announced for 82nd National Folk Festival, November 7-9, 2025
- 7 MayWe Need Your Support Now More Than Ever
- 30 AprilFirst Performers Announced for 82nd National Folk Festival
- 26 March2024 Annual Report Is Out Now!
2024
- 5 DecemberJoin us in building community and bridging cultures
- 26 SeptemberNational Folk Festival to Hold One-Day Kickoff Event
- 17 MayJackson, Mississippi, to Host the National Folk Festival, 2025 Through 2027
- 20 MarchNCTA Spring Updates
- 15 March2023 Annual Report
- 28 FebruaryNational Endowment for the Arts Announces 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellows
2023
- 4 DecemberNational Council for the Traditional Arts Announces New Executive Director
- 20 SeptemberFall Programming Updates
- 15 AugustTransitions and Updates
- 25 AprilNational Folk Festival Host City—The Search is On!
- 11 AprilJoin NCTA in Celebrating 90 Years!
- 1 March2023 Season Announcements
- 16 FebruaryNational Treasures comes to Massachusetts this April
- 7 FebruaryNCTA 2022 Annual Report
- 12 JanuaryNational Treasures comes to Louisiana this March
2022
- 21 DecemberJob Opportunity at the NCTA
- 28 OctoberCelebrate the 2022 NEA National Heritage Fellows in a Documentary Film
- 16 SeptemberNational Folk Festival Tallies 400,000 Attendees Over 4 Years
- 15 SeptemberRichmond Folk Festival Full Artistic Program & Schedule
- 26 JulyRemembering Phil Wiggins
- 20 JulyPerformance Schedule and Map Released for the 81st National Folk Festival
- 14 JuneAnnouncing the Maryland Traditions Folklife Area Program at the 81st National Folk Festival
- 8 JuneAnnouncing National Treasures: A Tour of Culture Bearers in National Parks
- 17 MayMore Performers Announced for 81st National Folk Festival
- 5 AprilNext Five Performers Revealed for 81st National Folk Festival
- 3 March2022 Festival Season Announcements
- 1 MarchFirst Six Performers Announced for 81st National Folk Festival
- 27 JanuaryNational Council for the Traditional Arts to Receive $150,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan
2021
- 13 DecemberNCTA 2021 Season Summary
- 5 NovemberNCTA & National Park Service Premiere “Abundance”
- 25 October2021 National Heritage Fellows Celebrated in Film Debut of The Culture of America
- 19 OctoberNew NPS/NCTA Collaboration: Pleneando en el Castillo San Cristóbal
- 4 OctoberThe Search Begins for the National Folk Festival’s Next Host City 2023-2025
- 14 SeptemberNational Folk Festival Returns in Salisbury in 2022!
- 11 September80th National Folk Festival Commemorative Acadian Accordion Auction
- 29 JuneAnother Six Artists Announced for 80th National Folk Festival
- 15 June2021 NEA National Heritage Fellowships
- 18 MayTogether again! First Six Artists Announced for 80th National Folk Festival
- 21 April80th National Folk Festival and Salisbury are Together Again!
- 5 March2021 Festival Season Update from NCTA
- 2 FebruaryVirtual Event on March 4, 2021, Showcases 2020 National Heritage Fellows
2020
- 4 December2020 Year in Review
- 16 NovemberNCTA & National Park Service Premiere Bayous & Backroads
- 8 OctoberThe Richmond Folk Festival – a Virtual Celebration is This Weekend!
- 9 SeptemberNational Folk Festival Releases Schedule for Virtual Celebration
- 13 AugustNational Folk Festival Announces Plans for a Virtual Celebration
- 25 JulyKeeping the Tradition: A Virtual Celebration of the Lowell Folk Festival
- 23 June2020 National Heritage Fellowships
- 22 AprilImportant Update from the National Folk Festival
- 25 February2019 NCTA Annual Report
2019
- 14 NovemberFirst FTAN concert of 2019-2020 season Wednesday, November 20
- 7 October2019 National Heritage Fellowships
- 9 AugustNews for the 15th Anniversary of the Richmond Folk Festival
- 6 AugustFinal Round of Performers Announced for 79th National Folk Festival
- 27 February79th National Folk Festival Reveals First Eight Performers
- 18 FebruaryNational Folk Festival 2021-2023 Host City
2018
- 20 December2019 Contract Positions
- 18 December2018 Annual Report
- 4 OctoberNational Folk Festival Community Impact
- 26 SeptemberNCTA Announces Selection of New Executive Director
- 25 September2018 National Heritage Fellowships
- 13 September78th National Folk Festival Draws 63,000 Attendees to Downtown Salisbury
- 20 AugustRichmond Folk Festival Announces 25 Artists
- 12 JuneAnnouncing the Maryland Traditions Folklife Area Program at the 78th National Folk Festival
- 15 MarchRecap: Masters of American Music
- 12 MarchNCTA Online Benefit Auction is LIVE! (until midnight Sunday, 3/18)
- 20 FebruaryFirst Eight Performers Announced for 78th National Folk Festival
- 5 FebruaryMarch 14: Artists Gather for NCTA Benefit Concert in D.C.
2017
- 29 NovemberNational Council for the Traditional Arts Announces Leadership Transition
- 5 JuneSalisbury, Maryland to host National Folk Festival, 2018-2020
- 13 MarchThe Collected Writings of Joe Wilson
- 13 FebruaryFirst Performer Details Announced for 77th National Folk Festival
- 8 FebruaryBoard Member Featured on NPR
2016
- 9 DecemberJob Opportunities at the NCTA
- 9 DecemberRichmond Folk Festival Shines in the Rain
- 29 SeptemberRichmond Folk Festival: next week!
- 29 September2016 National Heritage Fellowships
- 28 SeptemberNational Folk Festival Announces 2016 Estimated Attendance
- 1 SeptemberA Show for Joe: Tomorrow Night!
- 29 JuneApply to host the 2018-2020 National Folk Festivals!
- 23 MayHenderson Guitar Silent Auction on June 7
- 12 MayWatch: Musicians Appearing at June 7 Concert
- 14 AprilJune 7: Artists Gather for NCTA Benefit Concert in D.C.
- 11 FebruaryFirst Performer Details Announced for 76th National Folk Festival
2015
- 18 NovemberNCTA featured in NEA’s 50th Anniversary Milestone Series
- 17 AugustThe National Folk Festival Announces 2015 Schedule
- 14 AugustThe National Folk Festival Announces Complete 75th-Anniversary Lineup
- 14 AugustNorth Carolina Traditions Stage and Folklife Area Announced
- 2 JulyRemembrances of Joe Wilson
- 25 JuneThe National Folk Festival Adds More Performers to Its 75th-Anniversary Lineup
- 19 JuneNational Folk Festival Announces 2015 Festival Footprint
- 3 JuneJune 25 Tribute Event for Joe Wilson
- 2 JuneNCTA Board Chairman George Holt’s Tribute to Joe Wilson
- 28 MayJoe Wilson: memories from Barry Bergey
- 22 MayNational Folk Festival Makes Two Important Announcements: VF Corporation Will Sponsor a Stage, and First Set of Eight Performers Unveiled
- 22 MayNational Folk Festival Announces That PNC Bank Will Sponsor the North Carolina Arts Marketplace and That Artists May Apply For Inclusion in Marketplace
- 21 MayA message from the family of Joe Wilson
- 19 MayRemembering Joe by Scott Lilly
- 18 MayNCTA Chairman, Joe Wilson, Passes Away
- 7 JanuaryArtsGreensboro Appoints Local Director for The National Folk Festival
- 6 January“Three Bells” nominated for GRAMMY
2014
- 18 SeptemberDates Announced for the 2015 National Folk Festival
- 30 MayGreensboro, North Carolina, Chosen As National Folk Festival Host City, 2015 – 2017
- 20 MarchMartin, Bogan & Armstrong at the 36th National Folk Festival, 1974
- 20 MarchNCTA Radio: “Gospel Ship”
- 20 MarchMasters of the Steel String Guitar Tour (1990-1991)
- 20 MarchCapturing the Moment: Images from the 2013 Richmond Folk Festival
- 20 MarchWe’ve Moved
- 20 MarchTreasures From the NCTA Collection
- 21 JanuaryCelebrating 80 Years
2012
- 13 SeptemberLowell 2012 Photos
- 13 SeptemberNCTA honored with 2010 Folk Alliance International Lifetime Achievement Award
- 13 SeptemberLegends & Legacies Concert Webcast