Media release
-Opportunity for local artists to impact social change through their music-
Tulsa, Okla.— Tulsa’s first Musician Changemaker Accelerator Workshop (TMCA) – 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 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.
Red Dirt Relief Fund Executive Director Katie Dale notes: “We are excited to partner with Music to Life so Tulsa musicians have the chance to dig into their passions for social change while showcasing one more way that Tulsa is a music city. Our mission assists music people in crisis, but helping musicians build sustainable careers – including music-driven community programs – can often prevent them from needing our help in the first place.”
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.
Red Dirt Relief Fund provides a safety net of critical assistance to Oklahoma music professionals. Since 2012, more than $625,000 in aid has helped 800+ music creators recover from unavoidable emergencies, including $300,850 in COVID relief grants. Learn more at red dirt relief fund.org.
Music to Life 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
