Smithsonian Folkways has opened its digital archive to donors through its ‘Friends of Folkways’ program. Donors can browse through over 60,000 recordings from various musical genres and cultures found across the world for as low as $5 per month. Access to rare recordings, in-depth musical analyses, and artist interviews is offered by the program. The funds raised by the ‘Friends of Folkways’ program go towards supporting the label and paying royalties to artists. In addition to providing exclusive access, the subscription service plays a crucial role in preserving musical history.
The nonprofit institution generates funds from the program to aid in archiving, recording, and celebrating the voices of musicians. This helps ensure that cultural legacies are preserved for future generations. The comprehensive archive covers a range of musical expressions from around the world, from Appalachian folk tunes to Afrobeat rhythms and indigenous chants.
Folkways was established in 1948 by Moses Asch and Marian Dislter, with the Smithsonian taking over the label after Moses Asch’s passing in 1987. In its 75th year celebration, the institution has reissued some of its archival work, and its anniversary merchandise includes Matmos’ ‘Return to Archive,’ an experimental audio work utilising thousands of field recordings and sounding out the margins of the human sonic landscape.
By making their archive accessible, Smithsonian Folkways hopes to promote cultural heritage and foster a sense of global community among music enthusiasts. Interested individuals can participate by visiting the Smithsonian Folkways website and selecting a suitable subscription plan. Donors can sign up and access exclusive content through the ‘Friends of Folkways’ link on the site.
Ultimately, the program underscores the societal impact of music across time and cultures while providing continuing support to related groups
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