Texas Folklife is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural diversity and living heritage of the Lone Star State.
Since 1984, we have worked with communities across Texas to honor and promote the state's unique traditions. Through a dynamic range of public programs and initiatives, we bring Texas’ cultural legacy to life. Our free and low-cost offerings are organized into three main areas: Music Heritage, Education & Documentation, and Folk Arts & Health.
Dia de las Madres
Lancaster, Texas
The Big Squeeze
One of our signature events is The Big Squeeze, a celebration of young accordion talent from across Texas. This event brings together the many diverse accordion genres that define Texas' musical landscape, including polka, zydeco, conjunto, and Tejano.
In 2024, we hosted The Big Squeeze in Dallas, featuring performances by The Homeboyz, as well as standout accordionists such as Elena Fainshtein and her students, Elayne Doggett and Elijah Clements.
We also enjoyed performances by Osviel Parra, Andony Parra, and Luke Pitre, showcasing the next generation of Texas musicians. These talented artists inspire us to continue fostering cultural traditions through events like these, ensuring that Texas's rich musical heritage thrives for future generations.
Texas Folklife promotes, presents and documents the state's rich cultural legacy through a vibrant mix of exhibitions, performances, community residencies, apprenticeships, and educational programs around the state. Texas Folklife is committed to preserving the diverse living heritage of Texans, while exploring the vital role of tradition in contemporary society.
Organization name
Texas Folklife
Causes
Arts & Humanities
Operating Budget
$500,000 - $999,999
Counties Served
Hood, Wise, Tarrant, Somervell, Rockwall, Parker, Palo Pinto, Navarro, Montague, Kaufman, Johnson, Hunt, Grayson, Fannin, Erath, Ellis, Denton, Dallas, Cooke, Collin
BIPOC Serving
Native American, Hispanic or Latinx, Black or African American
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Address
14001 Goldmark Drive #225-A