Our Mission
The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (TKMA) furthers community engagement and appreciation for original and acoustic music by promoting and producing the annual Tucson Folk Festival—one of the longest-running and largest free music festivals in the country. As a volunteer-operated, member-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit, TKMA is dedicated to showcasing diverse musical traditions, supporting emerging artists, and enhancing the cultural and musical fabric of Tucson and Southern Arizona.
We envision a thriving, inclusive community where music unites people of all ages and backgrounds. Through the Tucson Folk Festival, TKMA aspires to enrich the cultural vibrancy of Tucson by celebrating the diverse traditions of folk and acoustic music while nurturing future generations of musicians, fostering artistic innovation, and amplifying Tucson’s unique cultural heritage.
We advance this mission with these goals:
- Celebrate Cultural Heritage by honoring Tucson’s rich musical traditions.
- Support Local Musicians by providing exposure and development opportunities for Tucson artists.
- Provide a Platform for Diverse Talent, showcasing hundreds of musicians and highlighting both local and national artists.
- Build Community Connections by uniting diverse audiences and performers, fostering a sense of belonging.
- Empower the Next Generation by fostering young performers through showcases.
- Strengthen Tucson’s Cultural Identity as a hub for live, original music.
- Boost the Local Economy through festival spending and supporting local vendors and artisans.
- Make Music Accessible through free admission, accessible stages, and online viewing.
- Promote Local Artisans and small businesses through the festival’s vendor marketplace.
- Ensure Sustainability by growing the festival responsibly with community support.
Our Story
Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association (TKMA) began as a group of friends gathering regularly on Friday nights for potlucks and jammin’ in the kitchen. TKMA was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax Exempt No. 86-0514808) in 1986 to further public awareness and interest in acoustic music and other folk arts by promoting and producing the annual Tucson Folk Festival.
The Tucson Folk Festival is one of the longest-running folk music festivals in the country and has grown to be Arizona’s largest free to the public music festival. The annual three-day event celebrates American Folk Music traditions and all the wonderful variations, from Bluegrass to Blues, and Mariachi to Zydeco. This family-friendly festival is held in some of the most historic sections of Downtown Tucson. Featuring multiple stages of acoustic music and hundreds of performers, the festival annually entertains well over 15,000 fans coming from all over Arizona and tuning in online from across the nation. This multi-day event also features a wide variety of food and craft vendors, a beer garden, interactive music workshops, a Family Show, the Roger Mikulas Young Artist Showcase for performers under 18, a Ballad Tree for songwriters, the Elise Grecco Community Marketplace for food and craft vendors, and the Stefan George Songwriting Competition. Over 250 volunteers contribute annually to the success of this festival.
FREE to the public since its beginning in 1986, the Festival is one of the most beloved events on the Tucson calendar.
TKMA and the Tucson Folk Festival are volunteer-led endeavors relying on the hard work and generous donations of supporters, volunteers, the community and the TKMA Board of Directors, Staff and Members. All proceeds and funds acquired by TKMA are allocated to the promotion and production of the Tucson Folk Festival.
Support Our Work
You can support the mission of TKMA and the annual Tucson Folk Festival in many ways. Visit here to make a one-time or recurring donation on Paypal, become an annual member, or get involved as a sponsor or volunteer.
