As the flagship department for the study of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, our mission is to create, disseminate, preserve, and apply disciplinary knowledge for the public good. At the core of our mission is the belief that expressive cultural practices, whether they be material, textual, performative, or verbal, offer an essential means of preparing students to respond to the challenges of the contemporary world.

We believe these challenges are not merely addressed through technological innovation and commerce, but rather, through the creative, expressive, and imaginative ways in which people come together to address shared interests and common goals. The problems of the contemporary world are inherently human problems, thus requiring rigorous academic engagement in the human experience.

Simply put, Folklore matters. Ethnomusicology matters.

In making a donation to the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, you participate in this mission, enabling the study of expressive cultural practices across various fields. Your donations go directly to departmental programs, curricula, research, and teaching initiatives. Donations can be made to the following funds:

• The Ethnomusicology Program Fund supports general teaching and research initiatives in ethnomusicology.
• The Folklore Enrichment Fund supports programming in folklore studies, and provides resources for general department-wide initiatives.
• The Richard M Dorson Memorial Fund supports graduate student research through the annual Dorson Dissertation and Paper Prizes.
• The Traditional Old-Time Music and Dance Fund provides annual support for the research, study, and preservation of traditional old-time music and dance, with an emphasis on student research.

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