Photo: Amanda Pascali, Houston
Music to Life launched its Texas Accelerator in January 2020 (with artists in Austin, Dallas and Houston) in collaboration with the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA); here’s a short introductory video.
We welcome six Texas-based activist artists to our national family of social change musicians: Cheryl Cawood & Company, Amanda Pascali and The Family, Sasha K.A Music, Guy Forsyth Band, Steven Hernandez (Sea-H) and Kamica King.
These extraordinary artists were part of a selective application process, based on their musical talent as well as their powerful ideas for putting music to work for change. Their concepts turn music into a strategic tool to address a wide range of issues: battling the opioid crisis through an artist residency at a clinic; supporting immigrants’ rights organizations by hosting music-based events at the U.S.-Mexico border; restoring forests and natural habitats by incorporating music to raise environmental awareness; creating opportunities for dialogue around gun violence through themed music exchanges; and building leadership among urban youth and young women through the expressive art of spoken word.
As Accelerator participants, these artists will receive monthly stipends, instruction on various topics (grants development, program evaluation, and partnerships), and connection with community mentors. Each artist will produce a pilot project in 2020 with a collaborating nonprofit and deliver an MtLx Showcase as part of their graduation day. Congratulations!