Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation Inc

Programs: Annually, the foundation produces: the kerrville folk festival (kff), the grassy hill new folk competition and a fall music festival. The foundation also co-produces music camp for teens with the boys & girls club of central texas and a concert series, "music at the mansion" with schreiner university. (the fall music festival was cancelled in 2017 due to impacts from hurricane harvey). The kff is the foundation's flagship event. Established in 1972, kff is the longest continuously running music festival in the u. S. During the 18-day festival the foundation hosts the grassy hill new folk competition in which 600 to 800 songwriters from across the country submit two songs they have written in the past year. Of those, 32 are selected to compete at the kff. Of those, 6 finalists are selected who win cash prizes, and finalists return to play a texas tour together in the fall. Other programming includes a universities' campus songwriters competition; songwriters' school workshops in the use of guitar, harmonica, and ukulele, a young artists' performance incubator program; music outreach to the state hospital, va hospital and elder care facilities; concerts for children; a volunteer staff concert; and seminars such as music law and vocal performance; worship services; canoe trips; bike rides; and yoga classes. Activities are planned for all ages with a focus on nurturing and developing artistic expression, especially the art of songwriting, in a loving, family-friendly environment. Kff attendance is approximately 30,000. The foundation events are put on by approximately 1,500 volunteers. The foundation is staffed by 4 full-time, 1 part-time employee and 2 contract employees.

music camp for teens is a 5 day camp for youth aged 13 - 18. Faculty is comprised of songwriters, musicians and poets that focus on helping students 'find their own voice and sound' while integrating lessons that help teens build self-esteem, engage in positive leisure time activities, and develop leadership skills for 70 teens, many of whom are from low income and single parent households. Co-sponsored with the boys & girls club of central texas (bgcct), the foundation covers the faculty and facility expenses. The bgcct covers the food, transportation, and camp counsellor expenses.

the 2017 fall music festival was cancelled because many festival ticket holders and volunteers were impacted by hurricane harvey which hit days beforehand. Historically, the fall music festival is a 3-day event showcasing music and seminars on texas wines and craft beers. Over 100 artists are featured and attendance is approximately 5,000.