Field Schools for Cultural Documentation

Delia Alexander (left) and Tamara Hemmerlein examine their field research slides during the American Folklife Center’s field school in Bloomington, Indiana (2000). Photo: David A. Taylor.

On a regular basis, the American Folklife Center produces an intensive, introductory field school on cultural documentation in partnership with either an institution of higher learning, an arts/cultural center, or community-based organization. Held in various locations across the US - and occasionally overseas - the field school provides hands-on training in ethnographic documentary techniques for professionals, academics, students, and community members.

The training ranges from one to three weeks in duration and participants acquire the skills needed to carry out effective place-based fieldwork in a range of situations. Topics covered include: research ethics, project planning, interviewing, documentary photography, sound recording, writing fieldnotes, archiving, and delivering public presentations on research findings.

• View more details about upcoming Field Schools and How to Apply