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These Midwesterners Are Carrying Culture Forward

by Arts Midwest

Images of Midwest cultures bearers form a quilt pattern.
Culture bearers carry stories, teachings, and creative practices forward, ensuring cultural knowledge remains accessible for future generations.

These culture bearers are cultivating a creative legacy in the Midwest and sharing what they've learned along the way.

Midwestern culture is shaped by its people. Over generations, we’ve seen culture bearers hold and share knowledge and practice to keep communities in the region connected. This longing to preserve and sustain is deeply rooted in Midwestern ethos.

Through art, storytelling, dance, performance, language, foodways, and more, culture bearers are passing along their traditions. 

Who is a Culture Bearer? 

Culture bearers are individuals who are deeply rooted in the practice and preservation of cultural traditions. They may identify as folk and traditional artists, folk arts and cultural practitioners, taproot artists, elder artists, ancestral knowledge bearers, or culture bearers, among other titles.

Cultural identities include geographic communities, occupational groups, or family traditions. Culture bearer practices are often generational, connected to community, and prioritize sharing with the next generation. 

The 2026 Midwest Culture Bearers Award is currently accepting applications. This year, 18 awardees will each receive $5,000 to support their work and have access to professional development and storytelling opportunities.

Find inspiration from these past recipients of the Midwest Culture Bearers Award. 

Now Accepting Applications

The 2026 Midwest Culture Bearers Award is now open and looking to support 18 cultural practitioners with $5,000 awards. Applications are due August 18, 2026.

Learn More and Apply