What Is Folk Art?

Comprising more than five thousand works created by untrained artists from the 1700s to the present day, from furniture and pottery to drawings and paintings, the collection of the American Folk Art Museum celebrates the artistic achievements of “ordinary” people. By its very nature, folk art is at the heart of the cultural expression of all people and speaks directly to the diversity of our heritage and shared national experience. Because the objects in this curriculum guide were made, used, and appreciated by many different communities set apart in culture and time and place, they inspire awe yet feel familiar and connected to the immediate interests and daily experiences of a diverse range of viewers. In selecting artworks for discussion, we have tried to preserve that sense of both awe and familiarity.

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? Grades 6–12 Students will examine several examples of folk art created in different time periods with a variety of materials. By comparing and contrasting them and learning about their makers, students will begin to develop an understanding of the qualities associated with folk art. This lesson will likely require more than one class period.