People & practice

Artists are introduced through the work they carry.

This directory is being built for artists, ensembles, makers and cultural bearers across the IOV network. Individual profiles appear only when identity, cultural context, portrait rights and consent are confirmed.

Practice index

Six routes into the directory

Each route names the evidence a useful artist record needs. The structure keeps the person, their practice and the cultural setting together.

Two musicians in decorated performance dress sing and play long-necked string instruments. — Two musicians sing while playing long-necked string instruments.IOV-supplied archive · original file Folkart26 1.jpg · photographer and reuse terms not recorded

Dance & movementDancers, ensembles and community practitioners whose knowledge is carried through movement and repertoire.Person or ensemble · practice · place · repertoirePhotograph detailsClose photograph details
Background photograph · Stage dance ensemble in bright performance dress.
Music & songInstrumentalists, singers and groups working with musical traditions and oral transmission.Artist · instrument or voice · tradition · languagePhotograph detailsClose photograph details
Background photograph · Street musicians carrying drums and wind instruments.
Craft & makingMakers whose work depends on material knowledge, skilled processes and learning across generations.Maker · material · technique · community contextPhotograph detailsClose photograph details
Background photograph · Hands shaping a clay vessel on a wheel.
Visual folk artArtists working with painting, ornament, dress, pattern and other locally rooted visual languages.Artist · work · materials · rights and creditPhotograph detailsClose photograph details
Background photograph · Painted clay figures representing a performance procession.
Story & oral traditionStorytellers, poets and language keepers whose practice depends on memory, voice and audience.Bearer · language · form · cultural contextPhotograph detailsClose photograph details
Background photograph · A traditional storyteller performs in Porto-Novo, Benin.
Festival & ceremonyPractitioners whose work is understood through a collective event, observance or public celebration.People · occasion · place · community permissionsPhotograph detailsClose photograph details
Background photograph · Children and adults gathered in cultural dress.

Publication standard

A profile is a documented relationship, not a stock portrait.

The directory is designed to grow carefully, with the person represented involved in how their work is described.

Identity
The artist, ensemble or cultural bearer approves how their name and role are presented.
Context
The profile identifies the practice, place and community rather than presenting culture as decoration.
Media
Portraits and documentary images include a known source, permission and reuse status.
Review
Names, titles, diacritics and cultural terminology are checked before publication.

All context and rights fields are required. If a detail is genuinely unavailable, enter “Not recorded” rather than guessing.

Files enter a private Google Drive folder for editorial review. A submission is never published automatically.

Country or placePractice, community or organisationArtist, ensemble or cultural bearer nameShort biography and practice contextDescribe the person or group, their practice, place and cultural context. Identify the source of the information where possible.

Portraits, supporting files and source record

Include at least one portrait or documentary image. Film, audio, PDFs and current office documents are also accepted. Up to 20 files, 500 MB per file and 2 GB in total may be included.

Select files

Photographer or file creatorDate createdPlace shown or recordedRequested credit lineRights, consent or permission basisState who approved the profile, who owns each file and any restrictions on use. Identify filenames where sources or permissions differ.

The proposed artist, ensemble or cultural bearer has approved how they are represented, and I have the necessary permission from the creator, rights holder and identifiable people or community to submit this material for IOV editorial review and possible website publication.

You will sign in only when you are ready to send.

The upload login verifies your email, the IOV account database confirms annual access, and Google processes the protected file transfer. Read the contribution privacy information before submitting.

Looking for documented cultural practices rather than a person profile?

Open the Cultural Explorer

Artists are introduced through the work they carry.

Six routes into the directory

A profile is a documented relationship, not a stock portrait.

Identity

Context

Media

Review

Portraits, supporting files and source record