Our Programs

Explore our program offerings and get a sampling of what you can expect when you arrive–from on-campus housing to typical meals and recurring events. With over 800 classes offered each year, there’s something here for many different interests and every skill level. The only difficult part is waiting for your session to arrive.

The Folk School is known far and wide for dancing and our emphasis on music overall. Singing in the morning, gathering for lunchtime jams, and dancing weekly in our historic Keith House show how integral both programs have become to life at the Folk School. Learn more about our current music and dance offerings and the history behind age-old traditions like Morningsong and our local dance teams.

Our Student Host and Work Study programs are a unique resource for adults looking to live, learn, and volunteer at the Folk School. Student Hosts receive housing and meals during their stay and can take classes every week with tuition covered. Work Study students receive housing and meals during their stay and access a range of classes with tuition covered; program sessions include 6-12 people at a time and last from 6-8 weeks.

Scholarships provide partial or full financial support for a weeklong or weekend class for lifelong learners, young adults, craftspeople who have never attended the Folk School, and anyone else facing financial hurdles.

We offer special opportunities for emerging, early and mid-career artists to focus on their craft while building community and learning from master artisans. You can also find information about internships and our Traditional Craft Mentorship program.

Every summer the Folk School opens its doors to young folks ages 7-17 for Little/Middle Folk School, an opportunity for youths to discover Appalachian culture and take part in hands-on programs in various arts and crafts. Other options include our yearly Intergenerational Week, allowing those 12-17 years old to take a class alongside a relative or guardian, and the Folk School Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program, granting high school students the opportunity to learn an instrument, practice in a string band, and connect to the musical heritage of rural Appalachia.

A Folk School experience in downtown Murphy, located seven miles from our main campus. Olive’s Porch, named after the Folk School’s co-founder, Olive Dame Campbell, features a retail shop showcasing the work of Appalachian artists and providing high-quality art supplies. Olive’s Porch also offers community workshops focused on traditional Appalachian crafts, music, and dance, as well as community events and demonstrations designed for both locals and visitors.

We invite you to join us for our virtual events, where you can be part of the Folk School experience from home. Watch live demonstrations in a variety of subject offerings, start your day listening to Morningsong from talented performers, or join in a discussion with skilled artists on traditional Appalachian craft. Use our Virtual Event Library to view past presentations.

We also offer online classes through Lessonface, a platform that shares the Folk School’s approach to learning and was founded by former Folk School work study student Claire Cunningham.

Wondering how early you should register for a class? Curious about material needs or studio safety? Need to withdraw from a class? Check here for our policies and procedures and find answers to commonly asked questions.