Harmonizing in Arkansas: Folk Music

Discussion with and performances by Dr. Rolf Groesbeck, Carolina Mendoza, and S. Juain Young/Artists United. Rachel Reynolds, Director of the Arkansas Folklife Festival, will moderate the conversation.

Harmonizing in Arkansas: Folk Music is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, public programs exploring cultural and creative expression in local communities, produced in collaboration with the Federation of State Humanities Councils, and a community engagement event for the Arkansas Folklife Festival. Arrive early and stay late to share the stories, traditions, and creative practices that shape Arkansas. Insights from these conversations will be shared with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and help inform the programming for the 2026 Arkansas Folklife Festival, ensuring the festival reflects the many cultures and communities that make Arkansas home.

About Harmonizing in Arkansas

Music has always been a part of America. To commemorate America250, the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is partnering with Humanities Arkansas to celebrate American-made music, particularly styles that flourished in Arkansas during the 20th century.

The Harmonizing in Arkansas initiative is a series of programs highlighting different genres of music, culminating with songwriting workshops during the Arkansas Folklife Festival, June 26-28. All programs are free and open to the public.

Program support provided by the Federation of State Humanities Councils as part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.