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These Midwesterners Are Carrying Culture Forward
These Midwesterners Are Carrying Culture Forward. Originally published by Arts Midwest.
By Maddie Miller · 2026-08-31T04:15:11.102Z
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 https://artsmidwest.org/get support/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. Stories Stories Meet Ryan K. Johnson, Sharing Untold Stories Through the Power of Percussive Dance https://artsmidwest.org/stories/ryan k johnson percussive dance midwest culture bearer/ January 8, 2026 This Columbus based performer, choreographer, and educator is committed to uplifting Black history through dance and scholarship. Read the Stories https://artsmidwest.org/stories/ryan k johnson percussive dance midwest culture bearer/ Stories Stories Meet John Medwedeff, Bringing the Art of Metal to Everyday Life https://artsmidwest.org/stories/john medwedeff midwest culture bearer/ February 9, 2026 This Illinois based sculptor, craftsman, restorer, and educator is passing on a tradition that is thousands of years old. Read the Stories https://artsmidwest.org/stories/john medwedeff midwest culture bearer/ Stories Stories Meet Putu Tangkas Adi Hiranmayena, Infusing Experimentation into Balinese Music and Beyond https://artsmidwest.org/stories/putu tangkas adi hiranmayena midwest culture bearer/ February 19, 2026 This performer, professor, and composer is continuing a legacy of joyful, justice oriented noisemaking from Indonesia to Iowa. Read the Stories https://artsmidwest.org/stories/putu tangkas adi hiranmayena midwest culture bearer/ Stories Stories Meet Gabriela Jiménez Marván, Building Bridges Through Mexican Paper Art https://artsmidwest.org/stories/gabriela jimenez marvan midwest culture bearer/ March 2, 2026 With paper, paint, and a lifetime of passion, this Wisconsin based artist and educator creates community through the traditional art of cartonería. Read the Stories https://artsmidwest.org/stories/gabriela jimenez marvan midwest culture bearer/ 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 https://artsmidwest.org/about/updates/now accepting applications 2026 midwest culture bearers award/ Meet Ken Cook, Sharing Cowboy Culture Through Poetry https://artsmidwest.org/stories/ken cook midwest culture bearer/ This South Dakota rancher, writer, and reciter builds on a rich history to communicate the art—and heart—of the American West. South Dakota https://artsmidwest.org/locations/south dakota/ Midwest Culture Bearers Award https://artsmidwest.org/get support/midwest culture bearers award/ Meet Jozefa Rogocki, Expanding the Artistry and Legacy of Pysanky Eggs https://artsmidwest.org/stories/jozefa rogocki midwest culture bearer/ This Michigan based artist combines the strength of tradition with the excitement of innovation on the most delicate of canvases: eggshells. Michigan https://artsmidwest.org/locations/michigan/ Midwest Culture Bearers Award https://artsmidwest.org/get support/midwest culture bearers award/ Meet Roxanne C. Henry Laducer, Sharing Unconditional Love with Handmade Dreamcatchers https://artsmidwest.org/stories/roxanne c henry laducer midwest culture bearer/ This Anishinaabe artist in North Dakota honors her family history and gives back to her community through this generational art form. Native Nations and Communities https://artsmidwest.org/locations/native nations/ North Dakota https://artsmidwest.org/locations/north dakota/ Midwest Culture Bearers Award https://artsmidwest.org/get support/midwest culture bearers award/