Beginning October 25th, the workshop will meet 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays and on some weekends. After instruction in folklife studies and radio production, students will gather urban folklore—ghost stories, urban legends and more—and interview a folk artist to produce a sound-rich profile conveying the creative vision of that artist.
“Folklore or folklife is basically daily creative expressions that are perpetuated by a community or group of people that are related either by family, possibly religion, community, or through occupation,” Idaho Commission on the Arts’ Director of Folk and Traditional Arts, Steven Hatcher, explains. “They often learn these expressions by word of mouth.”
Examples of folk art created in and around urban spaces in the Treasure Valley include graffiti artwork, ethnic-based food traditions, and instrument makers, which are only but a few of the countless sources of creation under the folk umbrella. Artists profiled in the series will reside within Radio Boise’s geographic coverage area.
Prior experience in radio production is not required. Interested participants may include those who work in heritage and cultural organizations; educators and librarians; artists, actors and musicians; and anyone interested in community development and documentation.
Special workshop guests will provide instruction in radio interviewing, storytelling techniques, and podcasting
The workshop is limited to 10 individual producers. Interested participants must apply by October 17th. Fees are $75, and scholarship applications are available. A free-trial of audio editing software lasting the duration of the course is available.
By the end of the workshop, participants will produce a vox pop (a series of short interviews with members of the public) and a short feature on a folk artist. Pieces may be included in Radio Boise’s magazine-style Voices Project broadcast and in publications distributed by Radio Boise and the Idaho Commission on the Arts.
This workshop is part of Radio Boise’s Voices Project. Founded in 2016, the initiative seeks to include more voices on the airwaves and to engage the community in storytelling. Participants have produced multiple narrative-driven features on universal themes since the program’s inception, which are available on Radio Boise’s Soundcloud page.
Questions, email Olivia Weitz
