Dances. Songs. Handmade crafts. Holidays. Rituals. Family recipes.
Our folk traditions connect us to our past, bring us home, and express who we are. With each generation, they adapt, evolve, and inspire. These are the traditions that give our region its unmistakable character. The South Florida Folklife Center documents and celebrates the cultural practices of our diverse communities. Through public programs, exhibitions, and research projects, the center creates opportunities for locals to express themselves and learn about their neighbors.
Founded in 1986, the South Florida Folklife Center is dedicated to documenting, presenting, and supporting the region’s traditional arts and cultural heritage.
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What is Folklife?
Folklife is the collection of stories, customs, and beliefs that connect us to our roots, our sense of identity, and our communities. These traditions take new shapes as they pass through generations, informing the ways we express ourselves during special moments and in everyday life.
Learn MoreFolklife Gallery
Museum of Miami opened the South Florida Folklife Gallery in June 2014. The space celebrates what makes Miami, Miami and the diverse communities that call Miami home. On display is a selection of folk crafts and objects from various cultural groups, such as costumes, musical instruments, and handmade crafts.
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Artist-in-Residence Series
The Heritage Spotlight Series is an annual artist-in-residence program that highlights South Florida’s master traditional artists, the culture-keepers that sustain folk traditions in our communities. Participating artists share their art and knowledge through performances, workshops, and other public events.
Learn MoreMiami Stories
Miami Stories is an oral history project documenting the voices of locals and visitors of our Magic City. Through written reflections, audio, and video recordings, Miami Stories captures stories about people’s memories and experiences in Miami and preserves them in the museum’s archive. Each voice added to the archive is a thread in the larger fabric of Miami’s past, present, and future.
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Highlighted Projects
Since its founding, the SFFC team has conducted many field research projects to document the cultural practices, art forms, and traditional knowledge of our diverse communities. These projects have lead to the creation of a growing archival collection and educational resources.
Learn MoreFolklife Resources
Still curious? To learn more about folklife, view our list of links to resources in Florida and across the United States.
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