Artists in Schools

The National Folk Festival is proud to bring world-class artists into Jackson Public Schools, filling auditoriums and classrooms with performances and presentations of deeply rooted cultural expressions shared by some of the country’s finest traditional artists. These programs expose students to new cultures, communities, and artistic traditions, expanding their horizons with interactive, multicultural learning experiences. These outreach programs often reach students with limited access to cultural enrichment opportunities.

 

This year, six artists representing diverse musical traditions will visit nine schools in the Jackson Public School District, offering 45-minute interactive performances that include cultural and historical context, storytelling, and hands-on participation. Scholars will sing, dance, and play instruments alongside artists, gaining a deeper understanding of dynamic traditions and the power of music to connect communities.

 

The National Folk Festival artists visiting Jackson Public schools this year range from West African masters of the centuries-old griot tradition and preeminent flamenco dancers to award-winning blues musicians who have deep roots in carrying forward one of Mississippi’s signature sounds. These artists will visit schools on Friday, November 7.

​