The Lewis Prize for Music — a newly established philanthropy that’s ambitiously investing in music leaders to facilitate positive change and increase access to music education — is announcing today its inaugural class of awardees. A total of nearly $2 million is being awarded to leaders of music programs and organizations across the country. Each of the 2020 Lewis Prize for Music awardees are doing extraordinary work to ensure every young person has access to high-quality music learning, performance and creation opportunities by building community, fostering engaged citizens and supporting the holistic growth of young people.
“My vision is to ensure opportunities to learn, perform and create music are available to all young people,” said Daniel R. Lewis, Founder and Chairman of The Lewis Prize for Music. “Ideally, this would be happening in every school, but that isn't the case, especially in low-income and historically marginalized communities. It’s inspiring to see smart, focused, motivated leaders of community organizations addressing this gap by collaborating with schools and other youth services, such as foster youth, juvenile justice and other arts organizations.”
Lewis, whose father co-founded Progressive insurance company, spent most of his career there before retiring over 19 years ago and becoming an active philanthropist in the musical arts field. With this year’s launch of The Lewis Prize for Music, Lewis has committed to awarding at least $15 million over the next five years.
The Lewis Prize for Music has established an innovative three-tier awarding approach in announcing its inaugural awards of the following amounts:
Accelerator Awards - $500,000 each
Accelerator Awards provide multi-year support to enable leaders and organizations to make sustained progress toward ambitious community change initiatives that align with The Lewis Prize for Music’s values and vision.
Sebastian Ruth and Community MusicWorks (Providence, RI) are identifying and rethinking the euro-centric norms of classical music to foster more egalitarian and inclusive musical practices.
Brandon Steppe and The David’s Harp Foundation (San Diego, CA) have developed “Beats Behind the Wall” as a pathway for incarcerated young men and women to develop job skills through music and “Beats Beyond the Wall” for their further development and employment as instructors and audio engineers upon release.
Ian Mouser and My Voice Music (Portland, OR) bring songwriting, recording and performance to lockdown facilities, such as mental health treatment and detention centers, to help young people heal. My Voice Music counters the effects of trauma by engaging young people as artists and poets with powerful stories to share.
Infusion Awards - $50,000 each
Infusion Awards provide single year support to leaders and programs creating new musical platforms and pathways in their communities.
Clare Hoffman and Grand Canyon Music Festival’s Native American Composer Apprentice Project (Grand Canyon, AZ) inspire the next generation of Native music educators and composers.
Michael Reyes, Liz Stone and We Are Culture Creators (Detroit, MI) train and open employment pathways for 18-24 year-old music creatives.
Eugene Rodriguez and Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy (San Pablo, CA) ensure children of immigrants feel pride, value their roots, and share their culture through the study of traditional Mexican music.
Derrick Tabb and The Roots of Music (New Orleans, LA) support and instruct the next generation of New Orleans brass band musicians.
Finalist Awards - $25,000 each
Finalist Awards provide single year support to leaders and programs with impressive impact and reach.
Joseph Conyers and Project 440 (Philadelphia, PA) provide teen musicians with entrepreneurial training so they develop the competencies to thrive as individuals and collectively.
Kasandra VerBrugghen and Spy Hop Productions (Salt Lake City, UT) mentor young people in musical and digital media arts to help them find their voice and tell their stories to affect positive change.
The Lewis Prize for Music received a total of 188 applications from 32 states and the District of Columbia. Awardees were chosen through a rigorous process that incorporated input from diverse music leaders and young people involved in creative youth development. Additional information about the process and profiles of The Lewis Prize awardees can be found at: https://www.thelewisprize.org/finalists-2020.