NEA National Heritage Fellows

In-depth profiles of NEA National Heritage Fellows from 1982 to the present. Materials for 1982-2007 biographies courtesy of Documentary Arts. Use of some photographs courtesy of the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives & Collections.

A man poses in front of a barn.
2021

Tom Davenport

Filmmaker, Documentarian, and Media Curator
A man with dark brown hair and glasses wears a white, light blue, and grey collared shirt
2021

Tagumpay Mendoza De Leon

Rondalla Musician
A woman with brown and grey hair is wrapped in a multicolored striped shawl
2021

Anita Fields (Osage/Muscogee)

Osage Ribbon Worker
Five men wearing black stand on the porch of a weathered wooden building with a cactus in the foreground
2021

Los Lobos

Mexican American Band
A woman with dark hair holds a black Irish whistle and leans against a latched red wooden half door
2021

Joanie Madden

Irish Flute Player
A man with long dark hair wears a colorful shirt and black vest is smiling
2021

Reginald “Reggio The Hoofer” McLaughlin

Tap Dancer
A woman with grey hair and glasses wearing a red and white paisley shirt. In front of her is lace and colorful pins
2021

Nellie Vera

Mundillo Master Weaver
Three women wearing white clothes carry large colorful decorations
2021

Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble

Easter Rock Spiritual Ensemble
Man wearing a pork pie hat, sunglasses, and a leather jacket.
2020

William Bell

Soul Singer and Songwriter
Man singing on stage.
2020

Onnik Dinkjian

Armenian folk and liturgical singer
A man and a woman in elaborate dress appear onstage.
2020

Zakarya and Naomi Diouf

West African Diasporic Dancers
Woman laughing holding beaded box.
2020

Karen Ann Hoffman (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin)

Haudenosaunee Raised Beadworker
Group of women in colorful red outfits dancing in the street.
2020

Los Matachines de la Santa Cruz de la Ladrillera

Traditional Religious Dancers
Man with headphones on in front of a radio mic.
2020

Hugo N. Morales

Radio Producer & Radio Network Builder
Man in hat playing a fiddle.
2020

John Morris

Old-time Fiddler and Banjo Player