By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 in Kansas
Call for Folklife Presenters
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
Humanities Kansas (HK) seeks Kansas folklife presenters and culture bearers to share their craft in Kansas communities in 2026. HK’s By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 in Kansas is part of a national initiative to connect Americans with folklife traditions in their state.
Kansas has a rich history of folklife traditions and a dynamic community of folklife presenters who share their craft to connect Kansans with stories over time and across generations. In By the People, HK is exploring four themes:
- Harmonizing Together: Kansas musical traditions
- Moving Together: Kansas dance traditions
- Growing Together: Kansas food traditions
- Remembering Together: Exploring the Kansas land and crafts – community festivals, crafts, and activities
These demonstrations will bring people of all ages together to interact and engage, inspiring new generations of Kansans to carry on folklife traditions.
Successful applicants are:
- Active practitioners of the craft
- Recognized folklife experts or culture bearers in their community
- Have experience doing demonstrations to groups of all ages
- Have experience leading discussions
- Willing to travel across Kansas
- Able to demonstrate and engage audience with the folklife tradition
- Available to travel between January and August 2026 (dates TBA)
Presentation Requirements
Up to 10 events will take place throughout the state between January and August 2026. Event hosts will coordinate dates and times with the presenters.
Presentations will:
- Be one-hour in length
- Feature demonstrations and audience participation
- Allow time for conversation
Compensation
Folklife presenters will receive between $400-$750 per presentation, depending on distance traveled.
Applications are due by 5pm on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Questions? Contact Tracy Quillin, associate director, at 785-357-0359.