irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $9KMUSIC INDUSTRY ALLIANCE IS AN EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING PROGRAM FOR LOCAL MUSICIANS.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Alliance Academy
Hands-on educational workshops for students led by Western New York music professionals, covering songwriting, music production, instrumental mastery, music business, live performance, and music theory.
Instrument Donation & Placement Program
Collects new and used musical instruments (excluding pianos and organs), repairs and refurbishes them, and places them with children and youth in Western New York.
Music is Art Festival
Annual community festival featuring live music, art, vendor booths, and youth programming, including "The Battle" competition for young performers.
The Battle
Competition for Western New York musical acts with members 21 and under, culminating in a performance at the Music is Art Festival and prizes including studio time and professional recording.
WNY Music Industry Alliance
Networking and professional development program offering monthly events, workshops, and collaboration opportunities for musicians and music industry professionals in Western New York.
Winter Jam
Annual jazz ensemble festival for student groups including big bands, combos, vocal jazz, and fusion ensembles, featuring performances and interaction with professional musicians.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Free Outdoor Music Concerts 3 activities
- Hosts recurring live music events and showcasesOrganizes regular live music events including open mics, happy hour series, and curated performances at venues such as Jack Rabbit, Buffalo Distilling Co., and Third Space. Also curates music lineups for external events like the Buffalo History Museum's Summer concert series.
- Organizes annual Music is Art Festival and related eventsProduces a free annual festival featuring live music, art, and community participation. Includes a judged music competition for youth acts with performance slots, recording time, and professional development prizes. The 24th annual festival was organized in recent years.
- Organizes annual jazz ensemble festivalHosts an annual festival open to jazz-inspired groups including big bands, combos, bluegrass, fusion, dixieland, vocal jazz, and hip-hop ensembles.
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Music Education Support 1 activity
- Administers instrument donation and distribution programFacilitates the placement of over $500,000 worth of musical instruments into the community through a dedicated instrument program, supporting access to music for local artists and learners.
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Civic Engagement and Voter Mobilization 1 activity
- Engages in civic advocacy and community mobilizationUses organizational voice to support peaceful protests and encourages community members to vote as part of civic engagement efforts.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Hosts fundraising and memorabilia eventsOrganizes auctions of guitars and music memorabilia at venues such as the Variety Club in Lancaster, NY, to support organizational initiatives.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts music and art programming at community festivalsProvides music and art programming for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in partnership with the Friends of the Japanese Garden.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Hosts songwriter peer group eventsRegularly hosts songwriter peer group gatherings at MiA HQ in Buffalo, NY, providing a space for collaborative development and creative exchange.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Operates educational and networking programs for local musiciansProvides workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions covering music theory, songwriting, production, performance, and music business topics. Hosts regular networking events including monthly happy hours and artist showcases to connect local musicians.
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Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
- Promotes equity and inclusion in programming and leadershipEstablishes an equity committee to guide diversity efforts and recruits board and committee members reflective of the community. Creates safe, inclusive spaces at events and online, with clear anti-harassment policies and anonymous reporting mechanisms.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Supports Black artists through performance and promotion opportunitiesOffers platforms for Black artists to showcase their work and actively promotes their music and art within the community.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$235K
Contributions & grants$217K92%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$18K
expenses
Total expenses$215K
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$75K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$74K
Cash$65K
Investments$0
Liabilities$41K
Net assets$33K
Liquid reserves3.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -1.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRACY FLETCHER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $35K |
board members · 17
- ADRIENNE SALMON — BOARD MEMBER
- BOB SILVESTRI — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROL FILIP — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL 4/25
- ELIJAH HOOKS — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL 4/25
- ERIC CRITTENDEN — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIN GORMLEY — BOARD CHAIR
- JEFF MIERS — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFFREY R PROCTOR — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL 4/25
- JILL CASULLO — VICE CHAIR
- LIZ COLOSIMO — SECRETARY
- MARC HUNT — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL AUDET — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL FARROW — BOARD MEMBER
- RISHON ODEL NORTHINGTON — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL 4/25
- ROBBY TAKAC — FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
- RODERICK BONNER — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL 4/25
- TOM VARCO — TREASURER
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- Arts Services Inc. Funder — Provides funding through the Creative Impact Fund program.
- Buffalo Distilling Co. Partner — Host venue for Music is Art's open mic event.
- Buffalo History Museum Partner — Partners with Music is Art to present the Summer concert series Party on the Portico, including curation of the musician lineup.
- Erie County Government — Government sponsor of the Music is Art Festival
- Friends of the Japanese Garden Partner — Collaborates with Music is Art to present music and art at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
- GCR Audio Partner — Provides recording, mixing, and mastering services as part of the competition prize package.
- Gary Zoldos Partner — Annual Promoter member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- Goo Goo Dolls Partner — Founded by Robby Takac, bassist of the Goo Goo Dolls.
- Jack Rabbit Partner — Host venue for Music is Art's live music showcase.
- Jack Rabbit Partner — Hosts the monthly WNY Music Industry Alliance networking happy hour and artist showcase, and the annual December mixer and jam session for Buffalo musicians.
- Joe Mancini Partner — Annual Promoter member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- John Hunt Partner — Annual Promoter member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- Joseph Fredricks Partner — Annual Promoter member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- Justin Burrows Partner — Annual Promoter member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- Mark Morette Partner — Annual Promoter member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- New Music USA Funder — Provided support through its Organizational Fund in 2024-2025.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Administers the Creative Impact Fund program that supports Music is Art.
- Stacey Bleyle Partner — Annual Producer member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- Third Space Partner — Hosts a weekly happy hour music series presented by Music is Art and serves as a drop-off location for instrument donations.
- Tom Varco Partner — Annual Producer member supporting Music is Art through financial contribution.
- Variety Club Partner — Host venue for Music is Art's guitar and memorabilia auction event.
- WNY Music Industry Alliance Network — Music is Art hosts and supports the WNY Music Industry Alliance as a network for local music industry professionals.
- WNY Music Industry pros Partner — Local music industry professionals who host student workshops for the Alliance Academy program.
- West Herr Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Music is Art Festival
- experienced local musicians Partner — Participate in panel discussions and share career insights with students
strategies · 5
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.
- Community-Driven Programming Through Partnerships and Participationmethodology: community-partnership modelBy leveraging community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and local vendors, MUSIC IS ART ensures broad access and local ownership of its programs because inclusive planning and shared responsibility strengthen participation and sustainability.
- Equity-Centered Cultural Amplificationmethodology: cultural-listeningBy centering Black voices, art, and music and fostering intentional listening, MUSIC IS ART advances racial equity because elevating historically marginalized perspectives through culturally responsive programming builds inclusive communities and challenges systemic inequity.
- Music as a Unifying Force for Community Buildingmethodology: community-unification-through-musicBy creating shared musical experiences and inclusive programming, MUSIC IS ART strengthens community unity in Western New York because collective engagement through music fosters belonging, collaboration, and regional identity.
- Professional-Led Creative Development Modelmethodology: artist-mentorshipBy engaging music industry professionals to lead workshops and mentor youth, MUSIC IS ART deepens artistic learning and career readiness because real-world mentorship and hands-on collaboration connect emerging musicians with authentic industry pathways and community networks.
- Youth Empowerment Through Access to Instruments and Performancemethodology: instrument-and-stageBy providing youth with instruments, stages, and performance opportunities, MUSIC IS ART enables young people to develop musical identity and expressive intelligence because access to tools and platforms catalyzes creative development and confidence.