Education
Education

Cultural Heritage Tourism

Goal:

$254,000

Cultural Heritage Tourism

Goal:

$254,000

Introduction

Through our community-based approach, we design tourism experiences to support tradition-bearers and to ensure their communities benefit from having their cultural heritage shared with the world.

Challenge

The Cultural Heritage Tourism Initiative uses research and presentation methods from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to curate engaging, inclusive, and sustainable community-based tourism experiences. We help hosts convey their heritage by working together to create extraordinary experiences—both immersive and unforgettable that instill a sense of place and leave travelers with enduring memories.

Our process prioritizes an equitable relationship to ensure communities directly benefit from sharing their cultural heritage worldwide. Our work in tourism leverages other synergistic initiatives, such as the Center’s work with artisans and the Festival. Activities include cultural heritage documentation, participatory community engagement, destination assessment and asset inventory, experience design and product development, workshops and trainings, enterprise development, market access and linkages, policy reform, and strategic planning.

Kid
Kid
“Education has the power to change the world—it begins with empowering just one mind.”
Problem

Despite efforts to expand education, many barriers persist. Schools often operate without adequate resources, well-trained staff, or infrastructure. Additionally, digital divides and inconsistent policies widen the educational gap, leaving millions behind.

Solution

We support sustainable, long-term educational initiatives that address the core challenges facing learners and institutions. Our approach emphasizes resource access, infrastructure development, and teacher support:

01. Providing Learning Materials

Distributing books, devices, and learning tools to underserved areas.

02. Building and Upgrading Schools

Creating safe, inclusive, and well-equipped educational spaces.

03. Training and Supporting Educators

Empowering teachers with training programs, mentorship, and teaching tools.

04. Scholarships & Access Programs

Ensuring financial or systemic barriers don't block access to learning.

Introduction

Through our community-based approach, we design tourism experiences to support tradition-bearers and to ensure their communities benefit from having their cultural heritage shared with the world.

Challenge

The Cultural Heritage Tourism Initiative uses research and presentation methods from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to curate engaging, inclusive, and sustainable community-based tourism experiences. We help hosts convey their heritage by working together to create extraordinary experiences—both immersive and unforgettable that instill a sense of place and leave travelers with enduring memories.

Our process prioritizes an equitable relationship to ensure communities directly benefit from sharing their cultural heritage worldwide. Our work in tourism leverages other synergistic initiatives, such as the Center’s work with artisans and the Festival. Activities include cultural heritage documentation, participatory community engagement, destination assessment and asset inventory, experience design and product development, workshops and trainings, enterprise development, market access and linkages, policy reform, and strategic planning.

Kid
“Education has the power to change the world—it begins with empowering just one mind.”
Problem

Despite efforts to expand education, many barriers persist. Schools often operate without adequate resources, well-trained staff, or infrastructure. Additionally, digital divides and inconsistent policies widen the educational gap, leaving millions behind.

Solution

We support sustainable, long-term educational initiatives that address the core challenges facing learners and institutions. Our approach emphasizes resource access, infrastructure development, and teacher support:

01. Providing Learning Materials

Distributing books, devices, and learning tools to underserved areas.

02. Building and Upgrading Schools

Creating safe, inclusive, and well-equipped educational spaces.

03. Training and Supporting Educators

Empowering teachers with training programs, mentorship, and teaching tools.

04. Scholarships & Access Programs

Ensuring financial or systemic barriers don't block access to learning.

Help the cause!

Help the cause!

Related Causes

Related Causes

Goal:

$44,000

Research partnerships with community elders and cultural keepers

Goal:

$44,000

Research partnerships with community elders and cultural keepers

Ethnography

Goal:

$2 million

Ethnography seeks to uncover the shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices of a particular culture or social group.

Ethnography

Goal:

$2 million

Ethnography seeks to uncover the shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices of a particular culture or social group.

Goal:

$44,000

Research partnerships with community elders and cultural keepers