2016-17 FAI Annual Report.Indd
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2017 IN REVIEW ABOUT FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL This past year Folk Alliance International returned to center and simultaneously broadened Folk Alliance International (FAI) was founded in 1989 to connect folk music leaders aiming to sustain the community and its reach. The exploration of values in our “Forbidden Folk” conference theme genre. The leading international voice for folk music, FAI’s network now includes more than 3,000 members: a worldwide deepened our connection to the roots and power of folk music. community of artists, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, and arts administrators. The 2017 conference was the largest in our 30-year history, with 500 more delegates Enhancing folk music networks and creating development opportunities for cultural sector entrepreneurs is the than the previous year, an incredible 1,000 attending for the first time, and 27 countries foundation of FAI’s work. From its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, FAI produces the world’s largest conference for represented (a 50% increase from 2016). the folk music industry, the International Folk Music Awards, the Louis Jay Meyers Music Camp, the Folk in the Schools and Artist in Residence programs, community outreach, and the Kansas City Folk Festival. Intentional actions to diversify FAI’s board, staff, networks, programming, outreach, Matt Smith President, Board of Directors and showcases challenged perspectives and strengthened outcomes. Partnerships and meaningful experiences were developed with the Indigenous, Blues, and Global Roots communities. Capacity building events included a pre-conference staff workshop on sexual harassment, a seminar on diversity for FAI’s board, and a training session on racial justice MISSION made available to all conference delegates. To nurture, engage, and empower the international folk music community – traditional and contemporary, In response to a year of heightened global tensions, community conflicts, and amateur and professional – through education, advocacy, humanitarian crises, FAI issued a values statement (found at folk.org/mission) declaring our and performance. sincere commitment to diversity and internationalism and adamant rejection of all forms of discrimination and harassment. Without equivocation, FAI called on the music industry We fulfill our mission through Education, Networking, community to adopt proactive policies emphasizing the values of diversity, inclusion, and Advocacy as well as Consumer, Field, and respect, and safety for all. Professional Development. Aengus Finnan Executive Director A highlight was an expanded Artist in Residence program that partnered musicians with Diversity and inclusion are core values of FAI. local law enforcement and correctional facilities to collaborate creatively with inmates and officers. This year we also launched a Folk in the Schools program to compliment our local children’s hospital outreach, bringing folk music to youth across the city. Augmented green initiatives and the introduction of the Clearwater Award increased our Official Showcase artist, Gaby Moreno, performs with guitarist, David commitment to improving sustainability. Garza, at FAI, February 16, 2017. Strategic governance, transparency, and fiscal accountability ensured another year of financial stability and program growth. Our staff also grew in the areas of development and communications, and our board expanded its activity in the areas of membership, research, and advocacy. The third annual Regional Leaders’ Retreat took place in Baltimore, Maryland, where regional board presidents met with senior FAI staff and board BOARD OF DIRECTORS members to focus on collaboration and non-profit governance best practices. President: Matt Smith Amy Reitnouer Erika Wollam-Nichols Mary Sue Twohy Club Passim The Bluegrass Situation The Bluebird Cafe Sirius XM Radio Our community has passion, solidarity, and positive momentum. We aspire to consistently Cambridge, MA, USA Los Angeles, CA, USA Nashville, TN, USA Washington, DC, USA listen, learn, and lead as the bright future of folk music unfolds and we prepare to Vice President: Lisa Schwartz Cheptoo Koistany-Buckner Greg Torrington Michael Kornfeld th celebrate our 30 conference year. Philadelphia Folk Festival American Jazz Museum Stingray Acoustic Music Scene Philadelphia, PA, USA Kansas City, MO, USA Montréal, QC, CAN Huntington, NY, USA Treasurer: Alka Sharma Dom Flemons Joan Kornblith Michelle Conceison Folk Music Ontario Artist, The American Songster The Loud Poet Society Market Monkeys Ottawa, ON, CAN Hillsborough, NC, USA Washington, DC, USA Nashville, TN, USA Secretary: Deana McCloud Donald Davidoff Lou DeMarco Sam Lee Woody Guthrie Center Acoustic Alley Momentary Love Management Artist & The Nest Collective Tulsa, OK, USA Littleton, CO, USA Powell, OH, USA London, England, GBR At-Large: Matt Sever Ellen Stanley Lynn Cingari Tim McFadden Cover: Hundreds of conference delegates gathered on the rooftop of the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas Artist, Matt the Electrician Minnesota Music Coalition Paradigm Agency Tim McFadden Management 512 Delaware Street City for a group photo. Pictured are FAI staff, board, family members, interns, volunteers, delegates, Billy Bragg, Austin, TX, USA St. Paul, MN, USA Monterey, CA, USA Nashville, TN, USA Kansas City MO 64105 USA and Ani DiFranco. In their hands are copies of the US Constitution provided by Lynne Margolis, the ACLU, and 816.221.3655 www.folk.org other generous donors. Photo: Jayne Toohey GLOBAL AMBASSADORSHIP GLOBAL EXPANSION Folk Alliance International’s 2015-2018 Strategic Plan detailed a Industry and Consumer Development begins with FAI being present at key market events. Raising the profile of folk music five-year vision that included global expansion as a key area of ensures our community of artists are connecting to an ever-growing and appreciative audience. This year, FAI participated focus. The outlined objective of the plan was “to thoughtfully in 31 events all around the world. expand FAI’s footprint globally.” Progress Towards Strategic Goals: • Increase international membership: International canada membership now represents 17.7%. Breakout West - Edmonton, AB • Increase international participation in annual Canadian Folk Music Awards - Toronto, ON conference: 11% increase in international attendees. Canadian Music Week - Toronto, ON • Officially represent folk music globally: Export office Folk Music Ontario - Ottawa, ON Folk North - Toronto, ON meetings with Ireland, Scotland, England, Brazil, Colombia, Mundial Montreal - Montreal, QC France, Spain, Israel, South Africa, Australia, Estonia, Showcase PEI - charlottetown, PE Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Russia, and Italy. • Take an active role presenting, exhibiting, and europe representing folk at national and international events: 24% increase in number of events attended in FY 2017. Folkelarm - oslo, nor united states Folk Expo - england, gbr midem - cannes, fra A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) - new york city, ny Tallin Music Week - tallin, est americanafest - nashville, tn folk spot - Tønder, dnk APAP - new york city, ny the visit conference & festival - scotland, gbr arts midwest - milwaukee, wi WOMEX (The World Music Expo) - Santiago de Compostela, esp the blues music awards - memphis, tn far-west (fai region west)- bellevue, wa farm (fai region midwest) - iowa city, ia International Bluegrass Music Association - raleigh, nc marketing united - nashville, tn nerfa (FAI region northeast) - stamford, ct Serfa (fai region southeast) - montreat, nc swrfa (fai region southwest) - austin, tx australia sXSW - austin, tx tin pan south - nashville, tn Australian Music Week - cronulla, nsw Big Sound - Brisbane, QLD Woodford Folk Festival - Sunshine Coast, QLD LOCAL IMPACT - KANSAS CITY, MO • Economic impact of $5.5 million to Kansas City. • A sold out, second annual Kansas City Folk Festival, a family-friendly indoor festival. “Partnerships across borders are important, especially • Leadership in the cultural sector and advisory support for innovative arts initiatives in KC. in music, and Folk alliance clearly takes that part • Local referral and national exposure for area musicians. of its mission seriously.” Åke Lundström, CEO, Live at Heart, Sweden INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FEB. 15-19, 2017 • KANSAS CITY, MO, USA FAI’s 29th annual conference drew 2,694 attendees, the largest number in its history. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! The conference theme, Forbidden Folk, celebrated activism in art by exploring OFFICIAL PANELS the past and present role of folk music SHOWCASES in documenting and encouraging social change. The official artwork was inspired by the evocative images of the labor movement and included the universal clenched fist of resistance wielding a populist ukulele. One result of this focus was a strong sense of solidarity and commitment that emboldened the present day folk A crew of 233 volunteers donated 4,190 hours of time community of activist artists. representing an in-kind value* of $101,147. Without the FIRST-TIME PRIVATE commitment, time, skill, and personal investment of these Billy Bragg in his keynote address said, “Activism is the ATTENDEES SHOWCASES volunteers, producing an international event at this scale antidote to cynicism,” and asked a new generation of folk would not be possible. artists to be visible by taking their messages to places (* Volunteer hourly rate based on US national average from the where it will challenge the status quo. Corporation for