A native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Maria Zeringue moved south from Bloomington, Indiana, to serve as MAC’s Folk and Traditional Arts Program Director. She has master’s degrees in French and folklore from the University of Louisiana Lafayette and Indiana University, respectively, and a bachelor’s degree in Louisiana studies from University of Louisiana Lafayette.

Maria previously served as research and curatorial assistant at Traditional Arts Indiana. Her primary responsibilities included developing public programs and exhibits, managing archival materials, operating the organization’s website and aiding in the grant writing process. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in folklore from Indiana University and has served as an associate instructor of folklore. Maria has published articles in Journal of Folklore Research Reviews and Louisiana Folklore Miscellany. She also speaks French.

Program Area Information
From the blues music of the Delta region to the wooden boat builders of the Gulf Coast, Mississippi is home to a wealth of cultural and artistic traditions that demonstrate the deeply held values of our communities. The Folk & Traditional Arts Program works to increase awareness and foster the continuation of these traditional forms through grants and special projects.

Contact me for guidance and assistance with your application in eGRANT if you are a folk artist working within a traditional visual or performing arts genre, a filmmaker or media artist, or if you are an organization whose primary focus is traditional arts and culture such as a blues or craft festival, traditional arts and culture museum, or organizations which focus on the documentation, education, or training in traditional art forms.