Organized by volunteers and supported by generous foundations, businesses and

individuals, Jackson Storyfest has offered a free weekend of storytelling for more than twenty

years.  Annually, over  5,000 students visit downtown Jackson to hear stories by national,

regional and local tellers as they weave their magic at various downtown locations.

             There are also three public performances offered to the general public.  On Friday and

Saturday evenings, adults and teens are invited to free presentations by renown, national

storytellers.  A free family matinee is offered on Saturday afternoon for children of all ages. 

Additionally, two workshops are conducted by our evening storytellers offering valuable insight

into the ancient art of storytelling.  A small fee is charged for the workshops.

             In 2002, Jackson Storyfest received the Great Lakes Community Arts Award for

demonstrating exceptional accomplishment by an arts and cultural organization.

 

            

 

Mission of Jackson Storyfest

 

Jackson Storyfest’s mission is to ignite imagination through the art of storytelling

 

Goals of Jackson Storyfest

 

1. To provide free live storytelling performances for Jackson County students and residents.      

 

2. To promote literacy, develop the art of listening, develop a greater cross-cultural understanding, encourage imagination and help people realize that everyone is a storyteller.

 

3. To provide workshops for the public on the art of storytelling.

 

4. To involve businesses, churches, city and county governments, schools, organizations and citizen volunteers to participate in a coordinated successful community-wide project to promote the art of storytelling.

 

5. To showcase Jackson as one of the premier sites in the nation for storytelling.