Science Museum of Minnesota
Science Museum of Minnesota: From Windmills to Whirligigs
This folk artist uses the power of the wind to animate his whimsical kinetic sculptures. Check out his decorated yard and try some of the activities inspired by his creations.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Polka
Wikipedia offers detailed information on polka, a type of music and dance originating in Bohemia. Includes samples, artists, and more.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Malcah Zeldis
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Malcah Zeldis is described here along with information on her contributions to art through her series of folk art paintings.
Other
Grandma Moses: Reflections of America
An essay about Grandma Moses and her apotheosis as an artist.
Other
Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
The home of the famous art car weekend, this somewhat wacky museum brings you art made by people just like you. Not trained in any art form, these "folk artists" or as they prefer to be called "visionary artists" have some fun ideas...
Other
Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
The home of the famous art car weekend, this somewhat wacky museum brings you art made by people just like you. Not trained in any art form, these "folk artists" or as they prefer to be called "visionary artists" have some fun ideas...
PBS
Pbs: Off the Map
There are artists around the world making wonderful creations in their own backyards. Come explore these "visionary" or "outsider" artists who create art out of everyday things.
Other
Memory Is a Painter: The Art of Grandma Moses
This site has a short biography with three enlargeable images of the work of Grandma Moses.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Mamas and the Papas
Read complete biographical details on folk-pop artists the Mamas and the Papas, 1998 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, essential songs, and recommended reading list.
Other
Folk Lib Index: A Library of Folk Music Links
Contains many links to information relating to folk music. The links go to artists pages, music genres, articles and folk music venues.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Mural Inspired by Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera
This site has a series of curricular resources on the Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The site is primarily directed toward teachers to strengthen their teaching skills but has other content beyond those dedicated to lesson...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Kqed Art School
Art School is a KQED web video series that introduces contemporary artists who discuss their careers and intentions, then demonstrate hands-on techniques or concepts. Art School provides resources for learning how to break dance, draw...
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Multimedia Hero Analysis
In this 9-12 lesson, students will analyze the positive character traits of heroes as depicted in music, art, and literature. They will gain an understanding of how cultures and societies have produced folk, military, religious,...
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Artopia: Sculpture Critic: Coke Bottle by Finster
This eight-foot high plastic Coke bottle was a sculpture created for the 1996 Olympics, and is representative of outsider or folk art. The surface is painted with items that had meaning for the artist, Howard Finster. Students can read a...
Text Project
Text Project: Fyi for Kids: Vol. 2 Issue 4: Nesting Dolls [Pdf]
This magazine article features nesting or matryoshka dolls. It explains that they are Folk Art which shows what is important to a group of people; it also provides a history of this type of doll dating back to Chinese artists about 1000...
PBS
P.o.v. On Pbs: In the Realms of the Unreal (Outsider Art of Henry Darger)
The companion site for independent filmmaker Jessica Yu's exploration of the life and work of Henry Darger, which originally aired on PBS's "P.O.V." series in 2005. Along with a synopsis of the film and Yu's insights about her subject,...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Music of the United States
Very thorough resource for music in the United States. History, genres, and references can be found on this site. Includes sample audio recordings.
Incredible Art Department
The Incredible Art Department: Art of Mexico Latin American Art
Explains the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and provides a huge collection of links to websites looking at Mexican and Hispanic art and culture, as well as some lesson plans.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
Other
African Australian Online Resource
This site offers dozens of reviews of African recordings, new and re-released. Well-known musicians Zap Mama and Femi Kuti, as well as up and coming ones, are reviewed. Links to individual Web sites and audio files are also featured here.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Blues Music: Overview
Overview and definition of blues music that developed in the southern United States in the early nineteenth century. Performers from Georgia include Ray Charles, Ma Rainey, Little Richard, and the Allman Brothers.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Multi Media Hero Analysis
Using what they learn about how heroes are depicted in art, literature, and music, students create their own definition of a hero, and then write an essay based on a hero they wish to research.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Neil Young
A great songwriter and performer of folk, country, and rock and roll music, Neil Young has had a successful career both with groups such as "Buffalo Springfield", "Crosby, Stills and Nash", and "Crazy Horse" and also as a solo artist....