The Canadian Folk Music Awards are seeking jurors for our 2027 Awards
If you have a background in music adjudicating or are in the industry as an artist / producer / distributor, etc., and are interested in being considered for selection as a CFMA juror, please read below and fill out the application form. The deadline to apply is July 22, 2026.
Spread the word!
We are looking to expand our pool of jurors to ensure a fresh perspective in judging each year. If you know anyone who might be qualified and interested in judging for this year’s awards (or in the future), we would be grateful if you could share this email with them. Your support in helping us reach new potential jurors is invaluable in maintaining the integrity and vitality of our awards.
Thank you in advance for considering lending your skills to this extremely important process. The Canadian Folk Music Scene is strengthened by the contribution of your time and expertise.
General Info
- All submissions are digital, and the juror voting process is conducted online.
- Categories which exceed more than 60 submissions are generally split between two juror pools (i.e. 5 jurors in each set).
- In selecting jurors, we attempt to respect our mandate as a national entity, i.e. by having diverse representation from all geographical regions of Canada
- We aim to incorporate new jurors each year and try not to select jurors for the same categories two years in a row.
- Due to the volume of applications, not all applicants will be placed. Many highly-qualified Jurors, both new and returning, may not be selected this year.
- As a thank you for their participation, Jurors are offered one comp ticket to the Awards Ceremony evenings and their name is listed in the event program.
For a quick overview of the CFMA submissions eligibility please visit folkawards.ca/eligibility.
For a list of all CFMA categories: folkawards.ca/eligibility/criteria/.
Conflict of Interest
Tentatively selected jurors are sent a list of submissions for their category/ies to check for any conflicts of interest. The Canadian Folk Community is tightly connected. You may know some of the artists personally. However, by ‘conflict of interest’ we mean that if you, or your immediate family, are involved with any of the recordings in this category – as a musician, songwriter, agent, producer, manager, etc. you must declare this. Uncertain? Here is the main indicator: if you have received any financial benefit from this recording in the past year, or may receive financial benefit in the next year from this artist or this recording, this is a conflict of interest.
Juror Pools
Jurors in larger categories will be divided into Juror Pools. In Round 1 of voting, Jurors in pooled categories will assess a portion of the total number of submitted albums to the category. Larger categories will have “Round 1B” where 10 albums from each pool will be judged to determine nominees. In Round 2, all jurors in pooled categories will assess the same list of nominees (in Round 2 jurors will be required to assess a few submissions that did not previously assess in Round 1). Note that while pooled jurors will be reviewing only a portion of albums in Round 1, we require jurors to review the full list of submissions for any conflicts of interest.