Our Staff

Deborah A. Bailey, Folk Arts Specialist, coordinates our Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, working with artists in every stage of the project. She assists them with their applications and work samples for panel review; visits teams to assess and document their lessons; organizes outside evaluations; and collaborates with our partners to present TAAP teams for the public. Additionally, Deb provides technical assistance for artists, festivals and organizations. A Chicago native, she has called Missouri home for decades.
email: BaileyDA@missouri.edu

Lisa L. Higgins, Missouri Folk Arts Program’s Director, manages daily operations, including budgets, grants, and communications. As Missouri Arts Council’s Program Specialist for Folk Arts, she helps applicants and grantees throughout grant writing and reporting seasons. Lisa coordinates the Show Me Folk Initiative and administers Living Traditions Fellowships. She spent the first part of her life in the “Mid-South” and has called Missouri home for nearly forty years.
email: HigginsLL@missouri.edu