The Arts Dataset Program

The Song Genre Survey aims to gather insights on 3-5 of the most widely known or loved song genres within a community. For this survey, members of the community themselves determine what they consider to be their most salient song genres. A song genre is a type or category of songs that people in the community can identify and discuss. The category often has a name, and songs in the genre are marked by a set of similar features.

The survey and accompanying instructions for how to use it are available in the following languages. Each folder includes two documents: the Song Genre Survey 1.0 (the actual survey tool) and a page of instructions:

• English

• French

• Indonesian

• Portuguese

• Russian

• Chinese (Simplified)

• Chinese (Traditional)

• Korean

• Spanish

A full paper describing the program and its deliverables is published as Chapter 6 of the symposium proceedings: "Standardized Collection of Artistic Communication Data: Local Song Genres," by Susan Gary Walters, in Evidence-Based Research in Language Program Assessment, pages 142-177.

The Dataset consists of four files:

1. The dataset itself.

2. A file that introduces the dataset and gives documentation for it. 

3. A data dictionary which is needed for interpreting and conducting analysis on the dataset.

4. The reproducibility package,  an R notebook with the computer code used to generate the data visualizations that appear as the figures in the paper mentioned above.

The full arts dataset, accompanying dataset dictionary, introductory material and reproducibility package are available for download here.

1. What is a song genre?

A song genre is a type or category of songs that people in the community can identify and discuss. The category often has a name, and songs in the genre are marked by similar features and stylistic elements. A genre is frequently associated with specific events, purposes, contexts, emotions, or cultural expressions.

2. Who can participate in the survey?

The arts dataset project aims to gather general information about local song genres from ethnolinguistic communities worldwide. Community members are invited to share their knowledge through a survey about the genres they recognize and value. We welcome members from any language community to participate in the survey.

3. What is the purpose of the Song Genre Survey?

The Song Genre Survey feeds the Song Genre Dataset, a resource that allows a deeper understanding of local song genres around the world. The survey is not intended to produce the definitive description of a community’s song genres. Neither is it an in-depth musical analysis of all the intricacies involved in a community’s music. The survey tool provides a way for a community to catalog a selection of song genres that they most love and use, along with information about how these songs function in their community today. Going through the Song Genre Survey often sparks participants’ interest in doing further research or taking some particular action. It is hoped that the survey will spark other, varied, and ongoing investigations into local song genres and their value.

4. Will people know who contributed the data?

Before beginning, participants will be informed of the survey’s purpose and have a chance to ask questions. Only information willingly shared by participants will be collected, and no personal identifying information—aside from a name if needed for follow-up—will be requested or made public. The survey involves short, written responses; no photographs, audio, or video recordings are requested, though participants may include a link to an example of a publicly shared recording if they wish.

5. What will be done with this data?

The data gathered will contribute to a global dataset on song genres that is publicly accessible and intended to support the growth and appreciation of local language communities. The Song Genre Dataset is primarily concerned with the flourishing of local language communities. It views their song genres as resources they already have and gives them agency in considering how to use them. This research seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation for the preciousness of individual places, lives, communities, and their cultural heritage. Systematically collecting data allows us to share knowledge and look for patterns across languages and regions.

Many people who have completed this survey have enjoyed reflecting on their own song genres, sharing about them, and seeing their local music traditions recognized internationally.

6. What is the benefit to me for participating?

You will get to know the genres much better! Some participants have seen the survey help them build relationships with musicians in their community. Others have found that the survey sparks interest in preserving or revitalizing an older song tradition. For some communities who have worked at a regional level and collected several genres from nearby communities, we have created a report for them to share and learn from. Where other research already exists, the survey provides another data source for comparison. There are many more benefits, too!

7. Can I change my answers or update the information about a community?

Yes! Please email us and let us know. This is a living dataset, and we want it to be accurate and up to date.

8. Who can see the dataset?

The dataset is public, and anyone can view its contents. To ensure privacy, we have removed the names of the contributors from the public version.

9. Who owns the dataset?

SIL Global owns and manages the dataset under Creative Commons 4.0 BY-ND-NC. This license enables anyone to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form for noncommercial purposes, so long as attribution is given to the creator.