Founded in 1986, the South Florida Folklife Center is a division of HistoryMiami. SFFC is dedicated to documenting, presenting and supporting the region’s traditional arts and culture.
What We Do
Research
SFFC undertakes field research projects to identify and document local traditional artists and cultural practices. Folklorists and other researchers have carried out projects in African American, Anglo American, Bahamian, Colombian, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Peruvian, Puerto Rican, Trinidadian, Venezuelan and other communities.
Collect
Fieldwork projects produce audio recordings, photographs and fieldnotes. These materials are deposited in HistoryMiami’s Archives and Research Center, where the public can access them. SFFC also collects three-dimensional folklife objects, which are added to HistoryMiami’s collection of museum artifacts.
Present
Since its founding, SFFC has produced exhibitions, educational programs, festivals, concerts, publications, web content and more. Through these products, we strive to educate the public about the region’s diverse peoples, cultures and traditions. HistoryMiami’s Folklife Gallery features artifacts from the museum’s collection and serves as a space for performances, demonstrations, and other cultural programs.
Support
In an effort to encourage the continuity of the area’s folk culture, SFFC provides support services to local traditional artists and cultural organizations. For more information about these services, please contact us at folklife@historymiami.org.