English Folk Dance and Song Society

Who we are

The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) is the national development organisation for fhe folk arts.  Our mission is to preserve, promote and develop the folk arts which we do through programmes of leaning and participation for people of all ages and abilities,  and professional development for artists and educators. EFDSS is based at its folk arts venue, Cecil Sharp House in North London which is also home to our designated folk collection and archive in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.  EFDSS is a charity and company registered by guarantee. 

Our culture and values

To promote, preserve, and develop the folk arts; 

To provide national outreach activities that enable and increase access; 

To be a centre of excellence of the study, practice and dissemination of English folk song, dance, and music; and 

Celebrate diversity and promote equality.  

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

At the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) we champion the folk arts at the heart of England’s rich and diverse cultural landscape. We are fully committed to leading by example and to calling out all forms of discrimination – wherever, whenever, and however they take place.  Our EDI policy can be found on our website https://www.efdss.org/images/present/Docs/Documentation/EFDSS-EDI-Policy.pdf