(WILDER, Vt.) — Music to Life, a national nonprofit founded by Noel Paul Stookey of the folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary, has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to fund its Musician Changemaker Accelerator (MCA) workshops across the country for socially conscious artists.
Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) provides expansive funding opportunities to strengthen the nation’s arts and cultural ecosystem. This grant will allow Music to Life to deliver 2-3 workshops in various communities around the country, tapping musicians across geographies, genres and generations. Each MCA Workshop will empower up to 15 musician changemakers who have ideas for building positive, music-driven and sustainable community programs.
The MCA Workshops are intensive one-day programs designed to equip social change artists with the entrepreneurial skills to implement their ideas for social change while making a living. With the NEA’s support, participants will learn how to develop strong proposals, identify compatible partners, and garner community support. The Workshop also facilitates connections between artists, local community advocates, and industry leaders. Following the training, artists receive ongoing support through local volunteer mentors who offer technical guidance and assistance in refining their programs, and a connection with Music to Life’s national network.
"We couldn't be more honored. The NEA is our country's highest authority on quality artistic expression. Their endorsement is a result of significant public and private support and demonstrates such confidence in our Musician Changemaker Accelerator (MCA)” says Executive Director Liz Stookey Sunde. “We have received a clear mandate to serve our nation's socially conscious musicians and their communities for years to come."
Music to Life’s plans to host 2-3 workshops in 2024, continuing into 2025. Musicians interested in participating are encouraged to join Music to Life’s mailing list for more information about workshop locations, application deadlines and other opportunities for involvement.
Music to Life (MtL) is a national nonprofit, co-founded by Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) and his daughter Liz, to connect socially conscious musicians with the mentors, resources and training needed to realize their bold visions for community change. For more, visit www.musictolife.org.
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