Nonprofit

Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Washington, DC
|
festival.si.edu/

  • Mission

    Since 1967, the purpose of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has been to collaborate with cultural practitioners, communities, and heritage professionals to spark curiosity, catalyze intercultural exchange, and create participatory experiences that nurture human connection. Through research, curation, live programs, and digital storytelling, the Festival communicates an unwavering commitment to representing diverse cultures as a positive force for cultural equity, inclusivity, and the common good.

    About Us

    The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exposition of living cultural heritage annually produced outdoors on the National Mall of the United States in Washington, D.C., by the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

    The Festival takes place for two weeks every summer overlapping the Fourth of July holiday. It is an educational presentation that features community-based cultural exemplars. Free to the public, like other Smithsonian museums, each Festival typically draws hundreds of thousands of visitors.

    Cause Areas Include

    • Arts & Music
    • Community Development
    • International Relations
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Volunteering

    Location & Contact

    • (202) 633-6484
    • PO Box 37012 MRC 520, Washington, District of Columbia, US
    Illustration

    Discover Your Calling

    Find opportunities to change the world with the latest social-impact job, internship, and volunteer listings. Plus, explore resources for taking action in your community.
    Already a user? Log in