National Council for the Traditional Arts
The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is the nation's oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation and documentation of traditional arts. We honor deeply rooted cultural expressions passed on through families, communities, and tribal, ethnic, regional, and occupational groups, presenting the finest traditional artists through programs that facilitate dynamic and exhilarating experiences for artists and audiences alike.
In addition to our flagship program, the National Folk Festival, and its legacy festivals with which we proudly partner—the Lowell, Richmond, and Montana Folk Festivals—our initiatives also include cooperative agreements with the National Endowment for the Arts and National Park Service. Committed to fostering appreciation for our nation’s diversity and collective identity, the NCTA believes that the sustainability of and contact between American traditions promotes social and cultural cohesion essential to a healthy democratic society.
A National Folk Festival Story: Bringing Us All Together
Jerry Douglas and the NCTA
Joanie Madden and the NCTA
Almeta Ingram-Miller (The Legendary Ingramettes) on the NCTA
Sokhary Chau, Mayor of the city of Lowell on the enduring partnership with the NCTA
Karen Ann Hoffman on the NCTA
NCTA 90 more years - George Holt
National Folk Festival Host City webinar - May 25, 2023
National Treasures: A 2022 Year in Review
Sarah Gertrude Knott introduces La Guiannée at an early National Folk Festival
Bayous & Backroads: A Look Inside Louisiana's Lifeways, "Abundance" (Episode Three with AD)
80th National Folk Festival slideshow
National Folk Festival Host City webinar - November 15, 2021
Bayous & Backroads: A Look Inside Louisiana's Lifeways, "Abundance" (Episode Three)
Maryland Traditions documentary films for the 80th National Folk Festival
Marc and Joel Savoy at work constructing the accordion
Marc and Ann Savoy introduce NCTA Executive Director Lora Bottinelli to the Acadian accordion
The accordion featured with the Savoy Family Cajun Band at a National Park Service performance
Reflections from Don & Cindy Roy
Balla Kouyaté & Famoro Dioubaté, 2019 Richmond Folk Festival
Reflections from Rahzel
Reflections from Andre Veloz
Reflections from Saraswathi Ranganathan
Reflections from Imamyar Hasanov
A message from Sen. Ben Cardin (MD) about the National Folk Festival
A message from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD) about the National Folk Festival