Folk Alliance International (FAI), the world’s leading nonprofit for folk music, has announced recipients and nominees for the International Folk Music Awards (IFMAs), keynote speakers, and complete programming for its 38th annual conference, taking place January 21–25, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
New Orleans icons Big Freedia and Tank (of Tank and the Bangas) will serve as the 2026 conference’s keynote speakers.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will honor:
- Taj Mahal – five-time GRAMMY winner and global blues ambassador
- Clifton Chenier – zydeco pioneer and Louisiana cultural icon
- Louisiana Folk Roots – celebrating Cajun and Creole joie de vivre
2025 IFMA Nominees
Artist of the Year
Abbie Gardner, Carsie Blanton, Crys Matthews, I’m With Her, Ordinary Elephant, and Sam Robbins
Album of the Year
Arcadia (Alison Krauss & Union Station), CHURCH (Flamy Grant), Room on the Porch (Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’), Reclamation (Crys Matthews), Wild and Clear and Blue (I’m With Her), Woody at Home, Vol. 1 & 2 (Woody Guthrie)
Song of the Year
“Ain’t Afraid to Die” (Woody Guthrie); “Crying in the Night” (Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham); “I Bought Me a President” (Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer); “Room on the Porch” (Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’); “Sleeves Up” (Crys Matthews); “Sisters of the Night Watch” (I’m With Her)
Global Folk Album Award (with Songlines Magazine)
Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali, Trio Da Kali, Hajda Banda, Rastak, The Baltic Sisters, and Votia
New this year, the Global Folk Album Award recognizes the worldwide reach of folk traditions.
The Rising Tide Award (Levitt Foundation) goes to guitarist Yasmin Williams.
The People’s Voice Award honors Kyshona for her activism and “heartfelt empathy” (NPR).
Spirit of Folk Awards recognize Laura Thomas (ComboPlate Booking), Rachel Ornelas (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival), FAI Deputy Director Alex Mallett, and community builder Cindy Cogbill.
The Clearwater Award will be presented to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival for decades of environmental leadership.
Four DJs—Susan Forbes Hansen (WHUS), Kieran Hanrahan (RTE Radio 1), Ron Olesko (Folk Music Notebook), and Michael Stock (WLRN)—will be inducted into the Folk Radio Hall of Fame.
Programming Highlights
Panels include:
- Songs That Carry Us: Indigenous Perspectives on Folk Tradition
- Beyond “Woke”: Rethinking Lead Belly in the Era of Cowboy Carter
- Human Art in a Generative AI Age
Panelists feature Ani DiFranco, Gina Chavez, Irma Thomas, Leyla McCalla, Louis Michot, Ann Powers, and Nick Spitzer.
Full schedule can be found here.
Official Showcases
Over 150 artists from 34 countries will perform, including Kyshona, The Milk Carton Kids, Steve Poltz, Yasmin Williams, Leyla McCalla, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Chuck Prophet, Bruce Sudano, Pieta Brown, Ramy Essam, Emily Scott Robinson, Beth Nielsen Chapman, The Steel Wheels, Rainbow Girls, Tray Wellington, Mamadou Diabate, Las Cafeteras, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Emma Swift, Feng E, Great Lake Swimmers, Sean Ardoin, Jim White, Cary Morin Duo, Jason Ricci & Damon Fowler, Ordinary Elephant, Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic, Doug MacLeod, OKAN, Angelique Francis, Luke Winslow-King, Las Guaracheras, and Aysanabee.
About the Conference
The Folk Alliance International Conference is the largest global gathering of folk musicians and industry professionals, uniting artists, presenters, and organizations for five days of showcases, networking, and professional development. The first night features the International Folk Music Awards—celebrating folk’s leaders, legends, and emerging voices. The 2026 theme is “Rise Up.”