About Folklife
Folklife is traditional knowledge that is passed from person to person. This intimate type of learning takes place outside of formal institutions as a result of participation in folk groups such as families, ethnic, religious, regional, or occupational groups. Folklife is the manifestation of traditional knowledge and includes such diverse categories as belief, custom, art, craft, music, foodways, dance, drama, play, occupational or technical skill, architecture, and oral literature. South Florida folklife consists of the entire, complex body of traditions practiced by its residents, irrespective of whether they have lived here for months or decades.
About the South Florida Folklife Center
The South Florida Folklife Center’s folklife fieldwork projects and related efforts produce audio and video recordings, images, field notes, and associated materials. These items have been made available to the public at HistoryMiami's Archives and Research Center. The Center also collects three-dimensional folklife objects, which are added to HistoryMiami's collection of museum artifacts.
Since its founding The South Florida Folklife Center has produced exhibitions, educational programs, festivals, concerts, web content, publications, and other events and materials. Through these undertakings, the Center strives to educate the public about the region's diverse peoples, cultures, and traditions. In an effort to encourage the continuity of the area's folk culture, the South Florida Folklife Center also provides support services to local traditional artists and cultural organizations. Materials from these various activities are included in the folklife collection.
Items within the collection date from 1985 to the present and future additions to the collection are expected.