The grants will support West Virginia projects focused on Appalachian music, storytelling, fiber arts, dance, heritage and community traditions
From Staff Reports – Jun 25, 2026
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several West Virginia artists and organizations are among the recipients of the 2026-2027 Central Appalachian Living Traditions Folk and Traditional Arts Experiences grants.
Mid Atlantic Arts announced the grantees for the Central Appalachian Living Traditions program, which supports projects and events in Appalachian Regional Commission-designated counties in Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
The program is made possible by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.
Funded projects are intended to encourage public awareness, understanding and appreciation of living traditions, while also helping communities grow and share artistic skills and cultural knowledge.
West Virginia recipients include Annick Odom of Morgantown for “Bringing Ballads from Local Archives to Life: Songs, Crankies, Traveling Traditions, and Community Storytelling at the Morgantown Crankie Festival”; Arthurdale Heritage of Arthurdale for “Arthurdale Heritage’s Music & Dance 2026-2027”; and Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation of Capon Bridge for “Capon Bridge Square Dance – Building Up the Music.”
Other West Virginia grantees include Innovative Community Solutions of Martinsburg for “Appalachian Roots: Porch Songs for Weaver–Gillison”; Marshall County Historical Society of Moundsville for “Mending the Broken Thread: An Intergenerational Appalachian Fiber Arts Series”; and Morgan Arts Council of Berkeley Springs for “Traditions Alive in our Community.”
Renewall Inc. of Huntington received support for “Storytelling & Song: The Legend of Hawkshaw,” while RiffRaff Arts Collective of Princeton was selected for “Culturefest in Our Communities Year Three: Tracing Roots from West African Rhythm to the Blues.”
The River House of Capon Bridge was awarded for “Folk Arts and Music Traditions of the Appalachians,” and Ruby Daniels-Holland of Beckley was selected for “The Afrolachian Herbal Ways Retreat.”
Additional West Virginia recipients include Sara Loftus of Gauley Bridge for “Wool from Fleece to Fabric: A Year in the Fiber Mill”; Shepherd University for “Shepherd University’s 30th Annual Appalachian Heritage Festival”; Sistermoon Farm of Shenandoah Junction for “Tomato Jam 2026”; and Step by Step Inc. of Charleston for “West Virginia Dreamers Appalachian Arts and Music Camps.”
Photo caption: A fiddle and guitar workshop in Nelsonville, Ohio. Photo by Scotty Hall Photography
Mid Atlantic Arts is supported by funding from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies through its Arts & Cultures domain.
Read the full story at WVNews.com.
