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Women’s Audio Mission (WAM) is a San Francisco based non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of women in music production and the recording arts. In a field where women are historically under-represented (less than 5%), WAM is “changing the face of sound” by providing access and training to women and girls in music production and the techniques and technology used in the recording arts. In an era that is increasingly dependent on technology, WAM believes that women's participation in music production and the recording arts will expand the voice of music and media, and ensure that women's ideas, interests and views are conveyed in popular culture.

Description:
Women’s Audio Mission accomplishes its mission through five programs:

1. WAM Corps Training for Women provides training in the recording arts and audio technology. By providing training on state-of-the art technology along with award-winning women instructors WAM creates an environment that encourages over 200 young women a year to become sound artists and media makers and to enter a “non-traditional” field.
2. WAM Corps delivers affordable recording and live sound services to independent artists while providing career counseling and job placement services for women pursuing careers in audio and digital media. WAM places 20 women a year in paid positions.
3. WAM Online Member Community is an online, international community of over 500 women where members can connect with other members in their area, collaborate on projects, announce performances, post music and projects, post resumes, search job opportunities, get tech tips from pros and receive discounts on training, industry publications, conferences and audio gear. WAM’s website gets over 1500 hits a day.
4. Project GROW - Girls Recording Outreach Workshops cultivates the next generation of women recording artists and engineers by providing girls, ages 8-18, with women mentors and sound recording technology to facilitate small-scale recording projects that mirror professional activities. Each year over 140 girls are exposed to the recording arts.
5. Artist Incubator for Musicians & Songwriters develops the careers and creativity of local women musicians, songwriters and composers by providing access to music production and technology training, industry professionals (management, booking agents, producers, etc.), internet exposure, and performance and recording opportunities.



History:
Women’s Audio Mission was formed in Feb. 2003 as a direct response to the economic and social inequity women face in non-traditional, technology based careers. Women professionals comprise less than 5% of the recording industry according to the Audio Engineering Society’s Women in Audio Committee. While many women enjoy successful careers as newscasters, radio announcers, recording artists or actors, the number of women “behind the glass”, where many content-based decisions are made, has not changed in over 30 years.

Women’s Audio Mission grew organically from a small, diverse group of women students at City College of San Francisco, under the guidance of WAM founder, Terri Winston, a professor & director of a very successful recording arts degree program. Women’s Audio Mission provided support and filled in the gaps of training & experience typically denied to women & girls in male dominated technology fields. Word of mouth and an informal, WAM peer mentoring program led to an increase in women’s enrollment at CCSF from 12% to 43% - the highest percentage of women enrolled in a recording arts institution in the nation.



Contact people:


Terri Winston, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Amy Aquilino, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)


Main office number: (415) 558-9200

Address:


1890 Bryant Street San Francisco, CA 94110 (See a map)


Web Site: http://www.womensaudiomission.org

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 16th Street BART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15   Nearest Bus Stop: 22 @ Potrero Center, 5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	German, Italian, Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes

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