Funk Music in Popular Culture Conference

The Funk Music in Popular Culture Conference will take place on April 25–26, 2025, at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, hosted by Indie Lens Pop-Up, WBGU-PBS, the Department of Popular Culture, and the School of Cultural and Critical Studies. Centered around the screening of the Independent Lens film We Want the Funk, the conference will bring together academics, students, musicians, industry professionals, fans, and the public to explore funk music's cultural influence and interdisciplinary connections. Topics will range from funk music history, regional contributions (like Ohio and Michigan), and funk's intersection with genres like rap and jazz, to its presence in media, art, fashion, and discussions on gender, race, and class.