FAI 2026: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
January 21-25, 2026
- FAI 2026
- Artists
- Attending
- partners
Cultural Equity Council
Apply to Join the CEC
We are currently accepting applications for those interested in furthering FAI's effort to ensure a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible folk music industry, free of racism, harassment, and discrimination. This initiative is at the heart of FAI’s stated community and organizational values.
The Council is a formal arms-length listening body independent of the FAI Board and staff with the goal to make equity recommendations to inform FAI’s new strategic plan, moving from initiatives to policy. Deadline to apply is October 24, 2025.
Cultural Equity Council Background 2020-2022
Announced in 2020 in conjunction with the release of FAI’s draft cultural equity statement, and following a year of internal training with BIPOC-owned Team Dynamics, we are thrilled to introduce FAI’s Cultural Equity Council. FAI is committed to accountable engagement of community members and provides honorariums for all equity-related work when asking BIPOC** and marginalized people to represent their unique perspectives. Select board and staff (including the Executive Director) participate in a non-voting capacity to provide context and administrative support.
- Observed online Affinity Group sessions (March 1-4, 2022) designed for community input
- Surveyed community regarding equity issues, experiences, and perspectives
- Conducted an online Town Hall (March 29, 2022, 5 pm CT) for community reflections and feedback
- Synthesized all input and reflections into an Equity Recommendations Report to the FAI Board
CULTURAL EQUITY STATEMENT
To support a full creative life for all, Folk Alliance International commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, and equitable music industry and community.
OUR VALUES STATEMENT
FAI values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We strive to ensure gender parity in all our programming, to celebrate multiple languages and cultures, and we actively welcome participation from marginalized, disenfranchised, and underrepresented communities.
Member Call Out for Cultural Equity Council 2.0
With renewed support from the Board of Directors, Folk Alliance is entering into the second phase of the Cultural Equity Council, administered by Affinity Group Coordinator, Janice Jo Lee. We invite folks interested in joining the Council to apply below.
CULTURAL EQUITY COUNCIL 2.0 MEMBER PROFILE
Responsibilities
With administrative support from the DEIA Coordinator:
- Co-facilitate one FAI Town Hall per year (2 hours)
- Attend Cultural Equity Council work sessions every 2 months (5 occurrences, 10 hours total) at which members:
- Act as a listening body for FAI members, bringing recommendations to DEIA Coordinator and the Board of Directors
- Share cultural expertise and recommendations on FAI’s practices
- Co-facilitate the research process to gather member suggestions on creating culturally safe environments in regards to: race, physical accessibility, financial accessibility, neurodivergence accessibility, gender and sexuality
- Lead the creation of a Cultural Safety Kit for Artists, including tips for best practices for working touring musicians
Qualifications
- An active member of the folk music community
- Willingness and ability to share knowledge and expertise regarding culturally-specific lived experiences
- For all members collectively to cover a wide range of geographic and demographic groups
- Ability to actively listen to members, create environments where people feel comfortable and foster a sense of community
- Facilitation skills are an asset
Compensation
- $500 USD honorarium for the 10 month period (September 1 2025, June 30 2026)
- One complimentary registration to the Folk Alliance Conference 2026 New Orleans (January 21-25 2026)
Contact Affinity Group Coordinator, Janice Jo Lee, if you have any questions janice@folk.org
Apply by October 24, 2025
