Folk data is at the heart of Nua Index Agency’s DAM ethos, especially when building inclusive metadata governance.

Folksonomies, a term coined in 2004, reflect the language of their users. But what if folk data also reflected its users’ folklore through motifs, climate impact, and cultural history? How would that change your metadata and schema models?

The Folk Metadata Working Group invites DAM, GLAM, ILS, and archive workers to explore the ethical and taxonomic challenges facing our collections today!

We will meet for our first working session Wednesday, December 16th, 2026 in Chicago and proceed to meet bi-monthy. Attendees and members interested in joining the group will have an opportunity to contribute to the Folk Data newsletter and annual Yes! Folk Data! essay series.

Interested in joining? Email nuaindex@proton.me to join the mailing list.