During the fall Next Movement Idea Forum, The Presser Foundation traditionally invites an external organization to share insights and explore opportunities with attendees. In 2022, DiverseForce presented its DiverseForce on Boards program, while in 2023, Candid showcased its Seals of Transparency and Demographics through various Candid programs. This year, New Music USA took center stage.
New Music USA nurtures a vibrant and inclusive community for artists and listeners by supporting the creation, performance, and appreciation of new music throughout the United States. The organization hosts a variety of grantmaking programs for both individuals and organizations and provides other non-grant opportunities through its newsletters and events calendar. All of these programs were shared by Scott Winship, Director of Grantmaking Programs. He also explained that New Music USA seeks to partner with local music-focused organizations to identify grassroots groups. These groups can then participate in an incubator program to generate new ideas, strategies, and collaborations at pivotal stages of their development.
New Music USA not only supports artists and music organizations via its grant programs but also aims to understand the context in which they work. In essence, they seek to identify the challenges music artists and organizations face, along with the skills needed to bridge important gaps and enhance the industry.
During our convening, participants listed challenges such as finding venues that are the appropriate size, bringing in people from the community into the concert hall, finding content that engages them (audience development), attracting donors and potential listeners, and paying artists fairly. While we have heard of these challenges, the feedback brought them back to our attention.
The same was true for the skills-based discussion. Unsurprisingly, fundraising came up frequently, along with board recruitment and engagement, financial management, effective marketing and communications, connecting with volunteer musicians, and appealing to a broader, diverse, younger community. All of these topics have arisen in conversations with grantees, but again, it served as an important reminder that, as a funder, we need to consider how else we can help beyond the grant.
We’re grateful to New Music USA for sharing their grant opportunities and providing the space for Greater Philadelphia music organizations to share their challenges and needed skills. Collaborating with like-minded organizations in the space is essential for making a difference, and it was wonderful to listen to and learn from New Music USA and our grantees.
