Santa Fe International Folk Art Market
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The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is changing lives across the Globe by increasing awareness and appreciation of traditional arts. Since the market began in 2004, Artists have used market profits to dig wells, build schools, and other community improvements; things that were not possible before are now possible. Since the market began in 2004, it has grown to largest of it's kind in the world, and has continued to attract more visitors and increase sales every year. Artists keep 90% of all sales, and artist payout is complete within 24 hours of market closing. The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market and it's partner, The Museum of International Folk Art, provide unparalleled economic opportunities for artists, and a fantastic experience for visitors.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
volunteers, artists and visitors have shared touching stories of connecting with new people, sparking creativity, and making a difference.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give them a lot of money so they could bring more artists
I have attended the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market every year since its inception. It gets better every year. It is so interesting to be able to meet artists from all over the world. Being able to bring people here supports the work of artists and allows for intercultural exchange.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
getting to meet people from parts of the world I'd only read about. This is fascinating.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't know how to make it better!
I attended IFAM in Santa Fe almost every year with feel of joy and was looking forward for the incredibly colorful event every time to be amazed and amused by the endless creativity and skills of Folk Artists from many countries. In 2010 I decided to offer myself to be a volunteer as a translator (I speak Russian and Hungarian languages). It was simple to register online and close to the event I was invited for an orientation. i did not mind to drive from Albuquerque (altogether 6 times ) to join the crowd of volunteers to make the visit of participating artisans (many of them for the first time in the US) more comfortable. I was assigned to 2 young ladies from Kyrgyzstan along with 4 other Russian-speaking volunteers - i am sure we did our best in helping the Artists to communicate with the buyers during the 3 days of busy market. The Artists were very happy with the sales and expressed their hopes to be able to participate next year as well.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
organizing volunteers - being part of the sales and being a personal guide for the Artists.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
reduce the number of volunteers - 1600 are way too many to be efficient. I would organise groups of volunteers assigned to the each country, who should know each other before the event - it will help coordinate the work together. To make more clear the actual role of translators and use their skills more as escorts, not as sales assistants. They should be given flexibility to be together with the Artists during lunchtimes (to pay for it by themselves) and during special events.
The mission of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market is to foster economic and cultural sustainability for folk artist and folk art worldwide and to create intercultural exchange opportunities that unite the peoples of the world. IT DOES IT! The market has empowered women from under developed countries to overcome their hardships, including physical abuse and violence, to unite together in cooperatives. These women create beautiful art using historical and traditional methods to promote and share their culture. Through the sale of their art they have acquired confidence and improved not only their lives but their children's lives. These women have enriched our lives by sharing their experiences and selling their art with us at the yearly market.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...getting to know the artists, hearing their stories of how the market has empowered them through classes in business and marketing to go back to their communities and expand their own business and/or cooperative. With the additional income they have started schools, hospitals, drilled water wells and generally improved the living conditions in their communities.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would like to see the market expanded to other locations so that more artists from around the world could be involved. This would insure a sustainable living for the artists and their families and help preserve their art and culture.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
Living part time in Santa Fe and attending the market since its inception.
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
Becoming a self sustainable organization with it's first capitol campaign.
What is its top priority in the long run?
Expanding the market locations to make it more accessible to people world wide; thus, expanding the number of participating artists, providing a sustainable living for folk artists, and preserving cultural diversity and traditions.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
I've been involved since the inception of the Market and have continued to feel enchanted, emotionally moved to action, and privileged to be involved with such a special group of artists, staff and volunteers. Every year there are stories from the artists about how the Market has changed their own lives and those in their communities. And the more we learn about the artists and their communities, the more we all want to help them preserve their folk art and folk ways. We have thousands of volunteers who feel as though this is "their" market, as well as artists who depend on the income from the Market to care for their families, send their children to school, and build basic infrastructure in their communities.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I visited the weaving villages of one of the Peruvian cooperatives based in Cusco. The founder of the co-op has revived traditional weaving techniques, patterns, and natural dying in 10 communities in southern Peru. The weavers have a new-found pride in their skills and their heritage.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Figure out ways to expand the reach of the organization. All of our artists, as well as the new artists we haven't identified yet, need more opportunities to sell their beautiful work.
I had one of the best and most educating experience of my life. The staff was competent, creative, knowledgable and flexabile. You could not ask for much more. It is a truly eye opening experience to Americans with little idea of life or conditions
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing and hearing it's effects on those I transported. ie how they had their eyes opened
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help them with better facilities - help them extend the outreach to more countries
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
have better facilities
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
friends, encounters, new sights and sounds, etc.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
great
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I had one of the best and most educating experience of my life. The staff was competent, creative, knowledgable and flexabile. You could not ask for much more. It is a truly eye opening experience to Americans with little idea of life or conditions
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing and hearing it's effects on those I transported. ie how they had their eyes opened
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help them with better facilities - help them extend the outreach to more countries
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
have better facilities
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
friends, encounters, new sights and sounds, etc.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
great
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I had one of the best and most educating experience of my life. The staff was competent, creative, knowledgable and flexabile. You could not ask for much more. It is a truly eye opening experience to Americans with little idea of life or conditions
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing and hearing it's effects on those I transported. ie how they had their eyes opened
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help them with better facilities - help them extend the outreach to more countries
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
have better facilities
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
friends, encounters, new sights and sounds, etc.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
great
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I am a folklorist and for the last four years I have been the head of the artist selection committee for the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. It is the single most well-run, inspiring, influential and meaningful non-profit I know that provides opportunity for traditional artists throughout the world that they would not normally have. It makes all of the difference in hundreds of folk artists' lives--healing whole communities, providing housing, hospitals, roads and more, helping communities provide resources for orphans with AIDS, and improving the health of the artists and the arts throughout the world.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the letters and correspondence I receive from literally dozens of traditional artists in over 50 countries around the world who tell me of the ways in which the Santa Fe Folk Art Market changed their lives and the lives of their entire communities by helping them providing shelter from domestic abuse, heal from genocide, improve the environment, sustain their livlihoods, provide literacy training , provide resources for AIDS orphans in the communities, and more.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not do a thing except clone it!
I have been involved with the Folk Art Market (IFAM) since the beginning, and just love it. At first, when it was starting out, it was exhilarating--all hands on deck, let's make this happen. It's still exciting as it's matured and our respective roles have solidified. I love the mission of creating sustainability one artist at a time; I love the experience of the market--so many people from so many countries--very vibrant. The event is very well organized and continues to improve year after year
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have watched artists bloom when they get here. I've seen successful sales. My favorite part of the market is that it creates safety for everyone but especially the artists, many of whom come from areas where the threat of violence is an everyday thing. Not only are they physically secure, but they are welcomed, hosted, their work is admired. There is a rising tide of goodwill that permeates this event.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not anything I can think of.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
The volunteer experience is very well done, no changes I can think of
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Life changing and life-affirming for me. I love interacting with so many people from around the world, and knowing that the work we do is changing their lives.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Exhilarated, exhausted, sunburned and delighted
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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