RedLine is a proud partner and administrator of the Arts in Society grant. This collaborative program provides grants to both individuals and organizations that use art as a vehicle to promote social justice and community welfare.
We love highlighting our Arts in Society (AiS) grant recipients and all the unique and impactful projects made possible by their grant.
We’re excited continue this series with the 2024 Arts in Society Grantee: Musical Mentors Collaborative.
Learn more about Musical Mentors Collaborative and how they bring the joy of music to under-resourced communities by providing free lessons, instruments, and opportunities for students to explore their passion for music.
Tell us about your organization
Musical Mentors Collaborative (MMC) is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable, student-centered music education to under-resourced youth across the United States.
Through a combination of private lessons and group classes, offered both in-person and online, MMC ensures that students of all backgrounds, abilities, and levels of experience have meaningful opportunities to discover the joy and benefits of music-making.
Our work is powered by strong partnerships with community organizations, including those that serve foster youth, families experiencing homelessness, and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
By tailoring our programs to meet the specific needs of these communities, MMC fosters not only musical growth but also confidence, creativity, and connection.
We’re supported by a vibrant community of music educators, artists, advocates, and enthusiasts. This includes our world-class roster of Teaching Artists and Grandmentors—luminaries int he field who inspire and guide our staff, teachers, and students.
Additionally, our corporate sponsors, such as Fender, Gibson, and Kala, generously provide high-quality instruments, while funding from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the foundations of Grammy-winning artists Brandi Carlile and Lauren Daigle allows us to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
At MMC, we believe that access to quality music education is transformative. For students with limited access to extracurricular and enrichment opportunities, music can open doors to personal growth, creative expression, and community connection.
Our mission is to ensure every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to explore their potential and experience the profound impact that music and mentorship can bring to their lives.
Tell us about your first project that will utilize your Arts in Society Grant:
MMC will offer music instruction to foster youth in Colorado through both our Academy and Exploration programs.
Through our Academy program, we’ll offer a number of CASA-affiliated students 20 one-on-one lessons on an instrument of their choice, as well as provide them with access to masterclasses, in-person events, and recital opportunities.
This program is intended for dedicated music makers interested in pursuing music with focus, passion, and commitment.
By providing students both bespoke mentorship through private lessons and access to ancillary programming, we allow students to not only benefit from individualized mentorship, but also the sense of belonging to a larger community of music makers and learners.
Music isn’t created—or learned—in a vacuum, and we’re passionate about making each student’s journey feel collaborative.
Through our Exploration program, we’ll offer group programming to students affiliated with Elevating Connections, a nonprofit that builds “sustained positive relationships for current & former youth in foster care-including those experiencing sibling separation.”
The Exploration classrooms use a curriculum framework that empowers youth through musical exploration, community building, and reflection to create positive outcomes like behaviors, skills, knowledge, and values that support youth development.
Our Exploration program will offer “drop-in” style classes over the course of 12 weeks to students in two age groups: Kindergarten-5th grade and 5th grade-12th grade on instruments that have a low barrier to entry (i.e., percussion).
By creating classes that accommodate drop-in attendance and little to no musical experience, we’re creating a safe, encouraging space for students who may not have the ability to attend weekly classes, practice an instrument, or have had experience playing music.
What’s next in the pipeline for your organization? What other projects are you dreaming up for next year, and how will your Arts in Society grant help to support these efforts?
Through the Art in Society grant, we’re committed to creating lasting opportunities for foster care youth engaged in our programs, helping them build strong relationships with musical mentors to support their emotional and developmental growth.
But, we don’t want to stop this important work at the end of the year/grant period.
It’s important that we show up in a meaningful way for at risk youth and create a space of safety and belonging for them through music. In the coming year, we aim to deepen our impact by expanding our Community Programming to provide transformative experiences for students.
Our goal is to find additional funds that will allow us to continue offering free lessons and group instruction to any foster child.
Planned initiatives include free tickets to local concerts with artists meet-and-greets, masterclasses with hands-on feedback from renowned musicians, and online Q&A’s with world-class performers, offering students guidance and inspiration.
These opportunities will help foster care youth experience the power of live music, connect with creative professionals, and explore their own musical ambitions.
Our Community Programming in Colorado will engage local musicians, arts organizations, and venues to create lasting partnerships.
By the end of the grant cycle, we hope to foster long-term collaborations and ensure that students, especially foster care youth, have access to a supportive, enriching musical community that nurtures their growth.
What was your experience like when applying for an Arts in Society grant? What tips would you share with artists looking to apply?
The experience of applying for the Arts in Society grant has been incredibly positive. The Arts in Society team has been consistently helpful, supportive, and understanding of the need for fluidity and flexibility as we work to bring big ideas to life.
They empower grantees to use funds in ways that best support their own communities and offer valuable resources like storytelling, promotion, and implementation support.
For other organizations applying, my advice is to start planning early, ask plenty of questions, and share your passion authentically. Arts in Society values connection and truly wants to understand the people and organizations they support.,
I’ve especially appreciated the community learning aspect of the process—it’s an incredible benefit that enhances the grant experience.
Arts in Society 2024 Grantee Highlight: Tri Town Arts
Learn more about Tri Towns Arts and how they bring art experiences to youth on the plains to deepen connections within rural communities.
Administered by RedLine, Arts in Society (AiS) is a grant program supporting cross-sector work through the arts across Colorado.
