Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Each summer, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival appears and disappears from the National Mall. It takes a crew of coordinators, builders, interns, and volunteers to transform a plot of grass into a miniature city. In this short video series, we highlight the hands behind the scenes who make the Festival sustainable, accessible, and welcoming to its participants and thousands of visitors from around the world.
The Festival is a space for anyone and everyone to participate in culture. Ensuring an inclusive atmosphere is the passion of accessibility coordinator Diane Nutting and assistant Tori Baker, who work to make sure that all who come to the Festival can be their authentic selves.
© Smithsonian Institution, 2025
Each summer, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival appears and disappears from the National Mall. It takes a crew of coordinators, builders, interns, and volunteers to transform a plot of grass into a miniature city. In this short video series, we highlight the hands behind the scenes who make the Festival sustainable, accessible, and welcoming to its participants and thousands of visitors from around the world.
The Festival is a space for anyone and everyone to participate in culture. Ensuring an inclusive atmosphere is the passion of accessibility coordinator Diane Nutting and assistant Tori Baker, who work to make sure that all who come to the Festival can be their authentic selves.
© Smithsonian Institution, 2025
