Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission

Folk Alliance International's mission is to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion.

View our 2018-2021 strategic plan here.

The FAI folk umbrella represents the broadest international iteration of the genre, encompassing a diverse array of music including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Francophone, Global Roots, Indigenous, Latin, Old-Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word and every imaginable fusion.

Vision

Advocate for the Folk Music Community

Thoughtful Intentional Growth 

A Respected Organization within the Music Industry

Continuing to Produce High Profile Meaningful Events

Values

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of FAI.

We believe that greater diversity throughout the organization allows Folk Alliance International to:

Build a more creative and compassionate community. Folk music has historically been inclusionary at all levels and by nature brings community together. It has often been a part of movements for social and political change.

Spur awareness of other cultures and perspectives. We value sharing knowledge and conducting ourselves in a respectful manner. Interaction with a broader membership base introduces us to traditions from different countries and regions, along with perspectives of sub-communities within Folk Alliance International. Openness to and acceptance of these varied interests and perspectives will lead to greater inclusion and participation.

Provide enhanced opportunities for the organization and members. These additional viewpoints and communities will support our intrinsic value by fostering international and multi-cultural understanding, allowing FAI to make a greater impact in the music community and the world at large.

We also believe that bringing greater diversity to the organization will challenge our assumptions while revealing our similarities. It will have indefinable, intangible, and unpredictable effects. The costs of international expansion are worthwhile and of value.

Harassment and Discrimination

As emphatically as we welcome people of all national, geographic, cultural, ethnic, social, economic, gender, sexuality, orientation, mobility, and other forms of diversity to our events and organization, we also wish to express our rejection of discrimination and harassment.

As defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): “Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA).” In accordance with US law, our board recently adopted refined language regarding harassment in our employee handbook. For reference, please see the way FAI defines and informs our staff of this important issue. We encourage our membership to adopt similar policies in their places of work and to adhere to this standard at their events.

Please see our Safe Community Pledge for more information about what to do in the event of harassment or discrimination at any music event, conference, venue, or festival. 

We are constantly seeking new ways to welcome and support creators, helpers, and lovers of Folk music worldwide. If you have any questions or comments about these belief statements or anything related to Folk Alliance International, please contact director@folk.org.