Visioning a Statewide System to Support Folklore, Traditions and Traditional Arts in Washington

Abstract

On November 21, 2013, 24 representatives of local and state government, private non-profit cultural and Tribal organizations, folklorists, and traditional artists came together for a planning retreat to re-envision a statewide system to support folklore, traditions and traditional arts in Washington. Organized by a steering committee led by Northwest Heritage Resources and facilitated by community cultural development consultant Bill Flood, these cultural leaders reviewed past Washington programs and other state folklore programs and took the first steps toward reenvisioning a statewide program. Participants, agenda, and notes from the retreat are included as appendices. There was strong support among retreat participants for re-envisioning a statewide folk and traditional arts program and for seeking State support/funding. Program leadership could be centered in a state agency such as ArtsWA (considering its program history and experience) or a constellation of non-profit organizations working in close partnership with ArtsWA. It is essential that stakeholder organizations and groups, including those represented at the planning retreat, are part of the organizational model. The retreat was conceived and designed as a beginning step in program planning; further analysis and organizing is needed to clarify program vision, organizational structure, and how to realize the vision. The organizational model should clearly build on the strengths of existing organizations.