The Folk and Traditional Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is pleased to join with the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies in this year's special focus on "Masters of Traditional Arts." This program of the Festival of American Folklife offers an opportunity for retrospection - a look at many of the artists and traditions recognized over the years through the National Heritage Fellowships, a grant program of the National Endowment for the Arts.