Louisville Folk School

Louisville Folk School: Music Education for All

Our Mission

Louisville Folk School's mission is to engage Kentuckians in their folk music traditions through education and performance, while building community through the arts.

Your Support

Louisville Folk School has always offered group classes and private lessons for teens and adults. In recent years, we have reached beyond our walls to provide expanded music programs for children through. These include new programs like the Sounds of Kentucky AfterSchool Program, which launched this past Spring. This pilot program served 24 children at two elementary schools through in-depth, hands-on music education. This program was made possible thanks to your support during last year's Give for Good Louisville. 

This year, we are expanding support for all of our youth programs, including:

• In-School Performances, bringing folk musicians into local schools
• The Sounds of Kentucky Afterschool Program, for hands-on, deeper learning
• Summer Camps, a full week exploring folk and traditional music

Of the 3,800 children who participate in youth programming through the Folk School, 98% do so for free. This is only possible because of sponsors and donors like you. This year on Give for Good, we aim to raise $25,00 to support music education. Your generosity will allow us to provide a welcoming space where students of all ages and abilities can explore their musical talents, connect with others, and celebrate Kentucky's cultural heritage.

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Our Impact

Founded in 2015, Louisville Folk School is Kentucky’s only non-profit offering year-round folk music instruction. We serve over 5,000 people annually through classes, workshops, performances, and community programming. Our impact is measured not just by numbers but by the community we foster among our students and audiences.

We offer:

• Group Classes and Private Lessons: We offer evening classes in traditional instruments like the banjo and fiddle, fostering community and enhancing wellbeing through music.
• In-School Performances: Last year, we brought folk music to 3,700 elementary students, including those at the Kentucky School for the Blind and several Title I schools. We aim to reach 20 schools annually by 2026.
• Public Performances: We partner with local organizations to present concerts across Louisville, showcasing diverse artists and bringing music to over 1,200 people last year.
• Summer Camps: Our camps immerse children in folk arts, providing creative outlets that promote positive youth development.

Why Your Support Matters

As Louisville’s sole provider of year-round folk, bluegrass, old-time, and world music education, we play a crucial role in preserving these traditions. However, our revenue doesn’t cover the full cost of our programs. Your donation ensures we can continue to offer accessible, high-quality music education and cultural experiences.

Your support is vital—thank you for helping us build a brighter future for Louisville Folk School.