What is VIAF?
VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) is one of the most widely used key Authority Control standard employed in uniquely identifying:
- Corporate Names
- Geographic Names
- Personal Names
- Works
- Expressions
- Headings
- Bibliographic Titles
It is developed by the German National Library and the US Library of Congress.
How does it affect my Professional Music Career?
Musicians sometimes play multiple roles in creative works. For instance, an individual musician can be a songwriter and arranger or a musical work, and later record/perform the same as lead artist, which may result in singles/albums in possibly multiple releases. Credits for each of releases should be comprehensively and consistently handled in all the organizational database, which proves to be a challenge.
Several national libraries and organizations are actively participating in VIAF effort. Creative works maintained by these organizations are periodically updated across participant network, thereby ensuring accurate and consistent identification credits of individual musicians.
Where can I find my VIAF ID?
There are several ways to look up VIAF.
[1] Search on VIAF
VIAF official website allows capability to search VIAF via https://viaf.org/
[2] Wikipedia
Individual Wikipedia entries for contributors (Writers, Musicians, Actors, etc.) typically features VIAF in "Authority Control" section.
[3] Wikidata
Individual Wikidata entries for contributors typically features VIAF in "Authority Control" section.
[4] MusicBrainz Profile
MusicBrainz profile for artists typically includes VIAF identifier.