The American Folklore Society, commonly referred to as AFS, is the main professional organization for folklorists in the United States, and it has many international members, as well. It’s a great organization and resource if you are interested in studying folklore or working with folklore professionally. Plus, the AFS website is extensive and provides a wealth of information and resources about the field!
The AFS Annual Meeting, a conference held by the society in the fall each year, is the largest gathering of folklorists worldwide. The conference is held in different locations around the United States, and often has 600+ folklorists in attendance! It is attended by mostly academics, but it is also a useful gathering for those working in public folklore, folk arts, and related fields.
AFS Sections, aka interest groups, are divisions within the society that focus on particular topics, such as foodways, music, dance, folklore in particular areas of the world, gender and sexuality, and more. Sections are a great way to connect with those who share your specific interests in folklore studies.
The society is also home to 6 folklore studies journals: the Journal of American Folklore (JAF), plus 5 journals published by AFS sections. As a learned society, AFS is heavily focused on scholarship in folklore, and it is part of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).
