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

Since 2015, the Louisville Folk School has been an integral arts and cultural organization within Louisville. We are the only arts organization offering year-round programming in folk and traditional music, serving 10,800 people each year.

The Folk School has always offered group classes and private lessons in numerous folk traditions--sharing the power and joy of playing music together. In recent years, we have greatly expanded our impact within the Louisville community through youth programs, which have impacted thousands of children across our community. This year, during Give for Good Louisville, we are raising support for all of our youth programming, including: 

• In-School Performances, bringing folk musicians into local elementary schools
• The Sounds of Kentucky After-School Stringband, for hands-on music education in public schools
• Summer Camps, a full week exploring folk and traditional music

These programs, along with family days, youth workshops, and more, served 4,300 children over the past year. We aim to make these programs as accessible as possible, and 98% of children participate for free. This is only possible because of sponsors and donors like you. This year on Give for Good, we aim to raise $30,00 to support music education. Your generosity will enable 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 Louisville’s only non-profit offering year-round folk music instruction. We serve over 10,000 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: In Spring 2026, we brought folk music to 4,000 elementary students, including those at the Kentucky School for the Blind and several Title I schools. 
• Public Performances: We partner with local organizations to present concerts across Louisville, showcasing diverse artists and bringing music to 6,000 people in 2025.
• 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.