Daytime Panel Schedule

Our daytime panel schedule is now available and we’re pleased to present tracks for artists, industry, and presenters as well as some interesting opportunities to engage with #ForbiddenFolk themes including censorship, accessibility, equity, diversity, and community engagement.

One featured panel we’d like to highlight encapsulates the theme with particular gravity and will be a rare opportunity to hear the voice of the Arab Spring, Ramy Essam; pioneering artist, SONiA disappear fear; outspoken songwriter, Eliza Gilkyson; and legendary artist-activist and #FAI2017 keynote speaker, Billy Bragg discuss their careers as political artists.

Moderated by Nic Dawes of Human Rights Watch, this panel begs the questions "what issues would lead you to: risk your life to sing a song, travel to another country to perform on a picket line, advocate beyond the boundaries of comfort, and speak out at the risk of losing audiences?”. 

This panel will take place at 10:30am Saturday, February 18th in Washington Park Place II & III at the Westin Crown Center Hotel.

View the full schedule here.

Music Camp Schedule

Check out the 2017 Music Camp schedule of classes.

FAI’s Music Camp features some of the best musicians, teachers, and writers in the music community offering classes for all ages and levels in guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion, ukulele, drum, fiddle, songwriting, and much more. Take advantage of unique access to top talent and the rare opportunity to take inspiration and instruction from colleagues in the field.

Purchase tickets for yourself or a loved one, they make a great gift!

FAI News

Board Election Results

The following five individuals were elected by the membership of FAI to serve three-year terms, commencing at the Annual General Meeting during the 2017 Conference. 

Newly elected and re-elected Directors (*incumbents) are:

• Dom Flemons
• Michael Kornfeld*
• Amy Reitnouer*
• Matt Smith*
• MarySue Twohy*

• Lynn Cingari 
• Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner 
• Sam Lee 

Link to the election results page: http://www.folk.org/electionresults

Link to the current board page: http://www.folk.org/board

Annual Report

It’s been an incredible year of growth, and we’re proud to share this 2015-2016 Annual Report: our new standard for presenting the highlights of FAI's conference and year-round charitable activity.

Thank you to our donors, partners, members, and friends. Please take a moment to look at all we accomplished together. Link to PDF.

Staff Profiles

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: JENNIFER ROE
Jennifer helped move Folk Alliance International from Memphis to Kansas City. She fell in love with the organization and started as a full-time employee in the fall of 2014. Jennifer is responsible for leading the FAI staff and contractors in planning the annual conference and the day to day operations of the office. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a major in political science, Jennifer moved to Washington, DC, and worked on Capitol Hill for several years. Back in KC, she worked with individuals with disabilities and eventually started an administrative services business supporting small companies.
 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: ALEX MALLETT
Alex manages sales, sponsorships, in-kind agreements, and strategic partnerships for FAI in addition to fundraising and grant writing for the organization’s charitable activities. Originally from the Kansas City area, he studied jazz bass at McGill University in Montreal and continued studies at the Banff Center's jazz and creative music workshop. Moving to New York City in 2008, he immersed himself in the local folk scene, performing in a variety of ensembles, leading a band, and recording two records of his own material. Simultaneously, he worked in the US Office for Midem, (Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale).

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Conference News

BYOWB

Bring your own water bottle! To cut down on waste at this year's conference, disposable cups will not be available. Water stations will be available to enable delegates to fill personal water bottles.

FAI-branded water bottles are available for advance purchase and will be available at the conference merch table. Pre-order your bottle here ($7 for members, $10 non-members)

Each bottle sold will help to offset the higher production cost of more eco-responsible programs and pocket books.

Family Friendly Things To Do in KC

It can be difficult to leave a partner or family at home to attend a business conference, so why not bring them along! In addition to our all-ages Music Camp and family-friendly Sunday folk festival, we have pulled together a list of all the great activities KC offers within walking distance or a short ride from the conference hotel. We welcome your whole clan.

#ForbiddenFolk Songs 

Our theme this year is a celebration of activism in art. Folk music is known for its tradition, oral history, and for its role in social movements. Here are a couple of inspired songs that have moved us this month and a link to our #ForbiddenFolk playlist on YouTube.



Anais Mitchell - Why We Build the Wall

Barry Kerr - Illegal

FAI #ForbiddenFolk Playlist

Upcoming Deadlines

January 31, 2017 - NEW deadline - Winter Registration Rate Ends
February 1, 2017 - NEW final rate - Final Registration Rate Starts

Community News

Your Support Appreciated

To fully realize our organization’s charitable potential we need your support. To date, we have raised $12,974 towards a $50,000 annual fundraising goal. This includes donations from 100% of our Board of Directors, staff, and contractors who also give to support over 100 artist and industry scholarships, our public Music Camp, Artist In Residency program, federal coalition work, community outreach, and global ambassadorship. To view donors to date, please visit www.folk.org/donors

Act now and double your contribution through the generosity of an anonymous donor who will match any contributions made before December 31st.

Your tax-deductible donation at any level is deeply appreciated. Donations can be made at www.folk.org/donate where you can also pledge an amount and then mail in your support at a later date.

Distinguished Folk

Membership

Presenter PRO Survey

FAI is seeking input from concert series hosts, venues, and festivals in order to understand the current relationship between FAI members and the Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), and to evaluate potential FAI advocacy opportunities. A survey has been sent to all Presenters in our database with a closing date of December 19, 2016.

If you are a presenter and did not receive the survey, please contact fai@folk.org. 

Folk Alliance Partner Events

FAI is proud to co-host the following FREE event:

Folk Alliance Archives

Celebrating 30 Years of Folk Alliance in 2018

Job Board 

Director of Arts and Culture
City of San Antonio
San Antonio, TX, USA

Executive Director
Arts Council Wood Buffalo
Wood Buffalo, AB, CAN

Thank You to Our Premier Sponsors

Thank You to Our Funders!