Folk artists from around the world have been the heart of the International Folk Art Market since it was founded. The nonprofit organization and the event of the same name know that celebrating the human dignity, artistic traditions and personal creativity of this global network of makers continues to drive positive change on both individual and community levels.

It comes as no surprise, then, to learn that IFAM is always looking for new ways to support artists. This year that includes entering into direct partnerships with artisans, creating new sponsorships for first-time women artists, launching a global artist residency and more. All these initiatives are guided by six “pillars” chosen by the creative team at IFAM each year, based on feedback from artists and their applications. In 2021 the pillars are innovation inspiration, sustainability, women's empowerment, community outreach, artist mentorship and heritage.

Adrienne Murray, IFAM's associate director of marketing and community engagement, explains, “Each year IFAM chooses five or six initiatives to focus on, depending upon what is relevant in that particular year. . . . We tend to focus on issues that artists themselves have identified as impacting their work. The climate change crisis, for example, has left many artists struggling to preserve generations-old traditions and resources. Our goal is to use our platform to highlight what artists have identified as impactful.”

While the pillars serve as guideposts for the programming and operations of IFAM, the artists also embody what each pillar spotlights.