Across our state, people who may not be recognized as artists are crafting a rich and varied heritage. The everyday is made beautiful in a doily crocheted by a Latvian refugee, in limestone carvings and Mexican American quinceanera celebrations, in African American gospel singing and German American turtle soup. Traditional arts are rooted in the past but are always in transition, innovative, and imaginative. Most traditional artists learn by watching or imitating someone in the community, whether a friend, grandmother, or next-door neighbor.
Traditional arts reflect the values, artistic tastes, and history of the artist's community.
Traditional Arts Indiana is a program designed to document, preserve, and promote traditional arts statewide. Traditional Arts Indiana grows out of a partnership between the Indiana University Folklore Institute and the Indiana Arts Commission, in cooperation with local groups and agencies. The information gathered will be available to the public.