In April of 2024, Oregon Folklife Network hosted a “Culture Keeper Gathering” at Bend’s High Desert Museum. Twenty-five traditional artists with profiles on OFN’s Oregon Culture Keepers Roster convened for a weekend to build community, share traditions, and discuss values and concerns affecting culture keepers today.
Arguably, this group’s greatest strength is found in their diversity: together, attending artists represented 14 counties, 19 traditions, and 4 Tribes. One participant shared, “I am taking away encouragement. Support. A Safe Space. A platform to share with the group my story and my artforms.” In an era of divisive rhetoric, OFN staff were humbled to see how immediately attendees built a sense of community. There were tense moments, yes, and many opportunities to learn (or unlearn) language; but overall, the group kept open ears, spoke honestly from their hearts, and leaned into learning from one another. Program Coordinator Kait Glasswell shares, “feelings of community/solidarity grew stronger throughout the weekend when participants shared stories. Many traditional artists share fundamental life values, creating a bond. It creates trust.”
Through analysis of participant feedback, OFN distilled three shared values among attending artists:
- Working together and building community
- Fostering the future of traditional art
- Support from trusted institutions
OFN is committed to meeting those values with action. We will continue to: organize gatherings; align our programs to better promote equity, access, and agency; and serve as a relationship bridge builder between artists and potential funding partners. One participant shared, “this event helped me learn what OFN is – we share (as practioners of traditional art) many concerns… we need to use the opportunities OFN & other potential partners are already offering.”
Another Culture Keeper Gathering is in the works for 2025. Individuals that are on the Oregon Culture Keepers Roster will be contacted soon with more details and information about registration. Want to join the Roster? Contact OFN at ofn@uoregon.edu if you are eligible.
This programming is made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Cultural Trust.