named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Artist Grants Program
Provides 12 monthly, no-strings-attached $200 payments to independent musicians and music workers in the Greater Rochester area who demonstrate financial need; prioritizes artists of color and aims to create a sustainable income floor for local artists
Music Makers
Music education program for children that offers interactive music sessions led by professional musicians; focuses on fostering creativity, confidence, and community connection through hands-on musical experiences
Musician Mental Health Support Group
Support group providing mental health resources and peer connection for musicians; addresses the emotional and psychological challenges of a career in music
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Administer Artist Grants ProgramProvides financial support to independent musicians and music workers through a grant program, including $200 monthly no-strings-attached payments for 12 months and annual grant awards. The program has supported artists since at least 2022 and is ongoing.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Deliver music education programs for childrenProvides music education to children ages 0–17 through singing, instrument playing, dance, and interactive classes. Programs are delivered in schools, daycares, youth centers, and camps, including adapted curricula for adults. The organization partners with over 25 schools in the Rochester, NY area.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Facilitate artist collaboration and professional connectionsBuilds a network of local musicians, artists, and creatives to support collaboration and professional development, including connecting artists with videographers, sound engineers, and other music professionals.
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Professional Audio/Video Production Services 1 activity
- Offer affordable media production services to artistsProvides video, podcasting, photography, and recording services to independent artists through in-house production capabilities, including ongoing work at Bop Shop Records and the production company Stereo Field Recordings launched in 2024.
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Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Produce live music events and concert seriesOrganizes and produces live music events, benefit concerts, and annual festivals—including Brinner Fest and Be Kind Fest—to increase community access to local music and strengthen community ties. Events are held in collaboration with local businesses and nonprofits.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$137K
Contributions & grants$64K47%
Program service revenue$73K53%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$122K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$65K
Grants paid out$15K
balance sheet
Total assets$34K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$34K
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +138.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 2
- Geoff Dale — Director
- Herb Smith — Director
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Bop Shop Records Partner — Collaborates with Bop Shop Records to record and produce videos and albums for local musicians.
- Camps Partner — Partners with camps to provide music-making activities.
- Creatives Rebuild New York Partner — Draws inspiration and programmatic influence from Creatives Rebuild New York's Guaranteed Income for Artists initiative.
- ESL Foundation Funder — Provided a $7,500 grant to support program development and music educator training.
- ESL Foundation Funder — Provided a community impact grant to support programming.
- FCC Partner — Partner site for the Music Makers Program.
- Farash Foundation Funder — Provided a creative arts grant to support arts programming.
- News 8 Partner — Produced the "Songs from Studio B" music series at News 8 from 2021 to 2024.
- Ray Partner — Point of contact for inquiries related to artist services and collaborations.
- Rissa Williams Partner — Former grant recipient and current program assistant contributing to music programs and community activation.
- Schools Partner — Collaborates with schools to deliver music-making programs.
- The Creative Business Accelerator Partner — Provided a matching gift to support the studio launch.
- Winton Library Partner — Partner site for the Music Makers Program.
- local businesses Partner — Collaborates with local businesses to present events and concerts.
- nonprofits Partner — Partners with local nonprofits to co-present events and strengthen community ties through music.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Direct Investment in Lifelong Musical Developmentmethodology: lifelong musician developmentBy supporting musicians at all stages—from children in music classes to emerging and professional artists through grants and performance opportunities—we sustain a vibrant local music ecosystem because continuous investment across developmental levels ensures long-term cultural vitality.
- Equity-Centered Artist Supportmethodology: equity-focused-allocationBy reserving a majority of initial grant awards for artists of color, we correct systemic inequities in arts funding and ensure that underrepresented voices are centered in the cultural ecosystem, leading to more inclusive and representative artistic outcomes.
- Music as Community Buildingmethodology: music-based community buildingBy creating shared live music experiences, we strengthen social connections and foster inclusive community engagement, because music serves as a universal medium for collective belonging and mutual understanding.
- Universal Basic Income for Artistsmethodology: universal-basic-incomeBy providing unrestricted financial support to artists through a Universal Basic Income model, we enable them to sustain their creative practice and allocate resources according to their personal and professional needs, thereby stabilizing the local artist ecosystem.