Applications are now open for our Spring 2026 Musician Changemaker Accelerator (MCA) Academy! We invite talented musicians of all genres to submit their ideas for making change in their communities. APPLY HERE.
The MCA is a 6.5-month online social change business accelerator (6 weeks of instruction, followed by 20 weeks of coaching; January 12, 2026 - July 10, 2026) for 10 carefully selected socially conscious musicians from around the country to develop a social change program/pilot in their communities. Taught and facilitated by experts in the music, nonprofit, business and entertainment industries, musician participants come away with a concrete plan for their community change idea, local partner connections, program development skills and funding to execute their projects.
Participating musicians will receive cash and services worth $10,000 including: a $500 participation stipend during the instructional phase, weekly instructional training in business, program and grants development, networking sessions with like-minded entrepreneurial artists and thought leaders, 30+ hours of intensive 1:1 coaching, and $2,500 matching funding and community partner support to launch a program pilot in partnership with a local organization. Candidates will be selected based on their musical talent and their enterprising idea for a music-driven social change program in their community.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ET ON August 15, 2025 (here is the link for pdf of application fields)
Class Schedule: January 12th - Feb 20th, class 3 times/week via Zoom. Feb 23rd - July 10th, 1 hour/week of individual coaching at a time decided between artist and coach.
Information Sessions: We will hold two information sessions to answer any questions you may have about how to make your application stronger. Click on the link here to register for one of the dates and times listed below.
- Wednesday, July 16, 7:00-8:00 pm ET
- Thursday, July 31, 1:00-2:00 pm ET
What are artists saying about the MCA Academy?
"The MCA Academy helped me carve out a mission that would be fundable and sustainable without compromising my musical vision. It is hard and rewarding work. The MCA taught me how to grasp the concept of applying for grants and networking with partners to support my desire to actualize my socially conscious music." - Cecilia Villar Eljuri, MCA Academy Graduate
"Access to remarkable coaching in every aspect of the journey has been the difference-maker: knowing that if I have any question at any scale along the way, someone in the organization will be available to answer it…or track down someone who can." - Aaron English, MCA Academy Graduate
"The Academy's learning environment is a safe, honest space where everyone shares openly, creating a strong, supportive community of artists. This healthy foundation fosters trust and inspires meaningful connections." - Chao Tian, MCA Academy Graduate
Note: Music to Life does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome applications from a wide range of candidates.
Questions can be addressed to: Verónica Pérez-Picasso at programs@musictolife.org.