A collaborative, community-based participatory action research project aimed at developing a scalable and replicable model for community partnerships at folk schools through community building and learning and exchange opportunities.

• Offered artist residencies and exchange opportunities at John C. Campbell Folk School that leveraged craft and art as a starting point for community dialogue,

• Utilized a multi-faceted approach grounded in participant observation, trust building work, group dialog, and shared buy-in between communities,

• Created an African American Craft Alliance Planning Committee with local and national African American craft entrepreneurs, scholars, artists, and community organizers, planning the next steps, and

• Improved social cohesion and collaboration between folk schools, like movements, and beyond, leveraging a community-based approach to sustainable change.

This project is funded by the Office of Research and Evaluation at AmeriCorps under Grant No. 22REACA001 through the National Service and Civic Engagement research grant competition. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by, AmeriCorps.