DATE: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
TIME: 9-5 pm CT
LOCATION: OKPOP, 422 North "Bob Wills" Main Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
Tulsa’s first Musician Changemaker Accelerator Workshop - a full-day incubator for Oklahoma-based musicians - launches on Wednesday, November 2nd at OKPOP in collaboration with local nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund and national charity Music to Life. The Tulsa Musician Changemaker Accelerator (TMCA) will work with up to 20 artist changemakers who have ideas for building positive, music-driven and sustainable community programs.
Supported with funding from the Arvest Foundation, the TMCA is a ‘deep-dive’ business-skills session where artists receive training in proposal development, identifying good-fit partners and mobilizing community support. TMCA also connects artists with local community advocates and industry changemakers including Accelerator presenters Chris Davis, Tulsa Creative Engine Co-founder; Branjae, artist activist; and Jeremy Charles, “Anvdvnelisgi” Cherokee Language record producer. Finally, TMCA pairs artists with volunteer business mentors from Tulsa’s SCORE chapter for post-training technical assistance and program troubleshooting.
Participating artists receive a full package of benefits including: complimentary pass to the Tulsa Music Cities Convention ($600 value; thanks to Tulsa Film, Music, Arts + Culture and Music Cities Events), $50 stipend, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and all Accelerator training and materials (estimated value of $1K).
“Our work around the country empowers musicians to put their creative ideas for community healing into practice,” says Liz Stookey Sunde, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Music to Life. “Our goal is to help heart-driven artists collaboratively address the causes that need their attention while also sustaining themselves financially and spiritually.”
Applications are now open to musicians with ideas for community-based programs. Application is linked here. Deadline is October 17 at 5 pm. As Red Dirt Relief Fund’s mission to serve all Oklahoma music creators intersects with Music to Life’s commitment to racial justice, equity and inclusion, applications from women, people of color, and those who identify with or are members of historically marginalized or underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged.