FEMME HOUSE, a 501(3)(c) founded by LP Giobbi and Lauren Spalding, fosters more equitable opportunity for women and gender-expansive individuals in the technical and behind-the-scenes areas of music. By providing education and scholarships, cultivating community, propagating visual representation, and offering professional development opportunities, FEMME HOUSE is focused on creating the future producers, mixers, engineerings, DJs, artists, and executives of the industry.
Since launching at MoogFest in 2019 with a panel featuring Madame Gandhi, Suzi Analogue, and Drum + Lace in conversation about the root of inequity in electronic music, FEMME HOUSE has expanded its programming to include free workshops on everything from music production to DJing, specialized online coursework on studio techniques, a weekly radio show on SiriusXM highlighting the best of dance music, a bi-yearly scholarship program for BIPOC creators, and a robust online platform featuring the foremost female and gender-expansive talent. By tearing down as many barriers to entry as possible, the organization is affecting change on a systemic, industry-wide level.
In support of its vision, FEMME HOUSE just launched its first-ever fundraising campaign. The reason?
Two years ago, we had our very first session with about 15 folks in a room at Ableton Studios. We were disturbed by a statistic – only 5% of producers were women. We knew that we HAD to make an impact, and offering free workshops to teach production techniques felt like the best way to help. We told anyone that would listen about that statistic. 15 turned into 30 which turned into 60, and before we knew it, we realized our little workshops were creating a community.
But the work is not done. Even with all of the programming and impact that FEMME HOUSE has accomplished in the past two years, that statistic of non-male producers has gone down to 2.5%. They are calling in support of resources to provide more courses, diversify more stages, teach more skills, and create hours and hours of music.
Help FEMME HOUSE reach its goal of $25,000 by the end of 2021 so they can continue to do the work of building representation within the industry. If you are able to make a donation to support, text GIVE2FH to (202) 858-1233 or go online to www.thisisfemmehouse.com/donate.
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