What Is Folk Art?

Comprised of more than five thousand works created by untrained artists between the 1700s and today, from furniture and pottery to drawings and paintings, the collection of the American Folk Art Museum celebrates the artistic achievements of “ordinary” people and speaks directly to the diversity of our heritage and shared national experience. Because the objects presented in this curriculum were made, used, and appreciated by many different communities, the collection inspires awe yet feels familiar and connected to the interests and experiences of a diverse range of students. Folk art lends itself to a variety of approaches. As rich primary sources, works of folk art provide a window into the lives of individuals and communities throughout history. Similarly, many of the objects have a narrative quality that invites exploration and discovery. In addition, the stories of the self-taught artists themselves fuel the imagination; students will learn how others have been compelled to create as they expand their understanding of artistic processes and materials.

	What Is Folk Art? Pre-K–Grade 5 Students will examine two works of folk art—a nineteenth-century quilt and a sculpture by a contemporary self-taught artist. By comparing and contrasting them, students will begin to develop an understanding of the qualities associated with folk art.