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Pathways To Jazz Grant Guidelines

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Pathways To Jazz Grant Application Process 2023

Since 2014, Pathways To Jazz has awarded grants to jazz musicians to create new, recorded works. Recordings are a key component in documenting and preserving jazz music. A high-quality recording also increases an artist’s ability to develop new audiences for this artform. Pathways To Jazz knows the value that a recorded work can play in furthering artistry and wants to support artists in this endeavor. The opportunity to apply for the grant is open to artists of all ages and stages of their musical development. The grant is used to produce a professional recording for commercial distribution and self-promotion.

 Letter of Intent form can be found here.

Pathways To Jazz Objectives

  • Document and provide wider exposure for jazz music and the music of contemporary composers.
  • Develop jazz audiences through the creation and distribution of recorded music.
  • Support the creation and production of new jazz recordings.
  • Assist talented musicians of all ages in producing a professional recording for commercial distribution and self-promotion.
  • Support organizations who provide music instruction and who create and foster a new generation of musicians and appreciators.

Eligibility
As an artist you need the capability to produce a studio-quality recording, have a strong artistic track record and demonstrate that you would clearly benefit from producing a recording.  You should understand who your target audience is and know how the recording will be used to develop your audience.

Artists who have never been funded directly or indirectly by Pathways To Jazz will be considered first. Previous grant recipients cannot apply within three consecutive years of their funding year.

Emerging and established artists are eligible and recorded works can be original or the works of other, contemporary composers. The creative control of the recording remains with the artist. 

Expectation

If you are awarded the grant, the expectation is that you will create a physical CD or LP. You may ask for an exception to this rule within your grant application for consideration, but not after the grant has been awarded. If you make this request in your application, please explain why you would like an exception to made. 

You will need to provide a detailed, realistic budget and a specific timeline for your recording process with a target completion date. All recordings must be completed by December 31, 2024. You will also need to provide music samples of your work, preferably samples of the music you wish to record.

How to Apply: To apply for the 2023 Pathways To Jazz recording grant, you must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for consideration. The LOI is an online form that is completed on the Boulder County Arts Alliance website. Letters of intent will be accepted between May 1-7, 2023 and only the first 40 submissions will be considered. The application process opens at 8:00am MT on May 1. No letters will be accepted outside of the BCAA application form. The link to the LOI form can be found here.

For the LOI you will need to:

  • Provide a one-two sentence project summary description. (limit 40 words)
  • Summarize your project, describe the type of music you want to record and explain what will make this recording special or significant to you and/or to others. (500 words or less)
  • Break down the budget for your project in these categories: studio time; musician cost; mixing and mastering; pressing and artwork; promotion; other; total budget.
  • Note where you will you record.
  • Provide names of up to three musicians who will play on your project
  • Describe your history and experience as a musical artist. (200 words or less) 

You will be notified prior to June 5 if you have or have not been selected to apply for the grant. Please do not make inquiries of status prior to this date. Selected applicants can begin their grant application through the Boulder County Arts Alliance website beginning June 5. The deadline to apply is 5:00pm MT on June 17, 2023; no applications will be accepted after this date.

If You Are Chosen to Apply

The following notes are for the grant application and information on the awarding process: 

Budget

The budget form within the online application is fixed, but you may want to provide more detail. You are encouraged to elaborate on your budget in the text section of the grant application. (There is a word limit within the text section; however, you may delete the question and number it to increase your word allotment.) You may also attached a more detailed budget breakdown in the attachment section. If you do, please note that in your “other” text section. Please note that Pathways To Jazz does not fund: food, travel, equipment or transportation.

Music Samples

Music samples are required and should be one-click access. The review panel should not need a subscription or a log in and password to listen to your music samples. Examples of platforms that are NOT acceptable: Dropbox, Facebook, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, etc. Examples of acceptable platforms are: Soundcloud, YouTube, your website, linked MP3s. You can upload a document that contains your links in the uploads section if desired or you can put them in the grant text or provide an attachment with clickable links. If the grant panel cannot easily access your music samples, your grant will be disqualified.

Acknowledgement

If you are awarded a grant you are required to acknowledge Pathways To Jazz in any promotion related to the recording and you will be provided with our logo to include on your CD/LP along with specific language that acknowledges Pathways To Jazz and our fiscal sponsor, the Boulder County Arts Alliance.

Review Process
Pathways To Jazz wants to be confident that you understand who your target audience/market for the recording is and have a clear understanding of what you will gain from the recording, specifically how you will reach your audience and how you will help to further the objective of Pathways To Jazz to develop audiences and provide wider exposer for jazz. 

Selection and funding decisions will be made by a panel. The following criteria will be applied in evaluating grant proposals:

  • Quality of the music.
  • The significance of the project to the applicant and those involved in the project.
  • Artistic quality and the performance, education and recording history of the musicians that will be on the recording.
  • Feasibility of the recording project including financial feasibility, adequate timeline for production and release, and plans for distribution and promotion.
  • Commitment to the Pathways To Jazz program objectives.

FAQ

Q: I’ve heard the maximum number of Letters of Intent reaches capacity quickly. How can I best prepare to submit my letter?
A: It is advisable to create your BCAA login and password in advance and locate where the application is on the website. The questions for the letter are stated above and you can prepare your text in advance and copy it into the form when the process opens. The maximum number of letters accepted does fill quickly and it is recommended that you plan to submit your letter at the beginning of the acceptance period.


Q
: What are the funding amounts and limits for a recording project?
A: Historically, grants have ranged from $1,000-$5,000. When applying for any amount, please answer the question of how you will proceed with your project if you are not funded the amount you request. You may also answer an optional question about how receiving more than what you’ve requested would impact your project.


Q
: How do I submit samples of my work?
A:  It is essential that the grant panel can listen to your work, whether that is past projects, or the music for the recording you would like to make. Please make it easy to find and listen to your samples. Provide mp3s or direct links. Do not provide a link to any program or platform that will require a panel member to download a program, create a login, or need an account or a password. You may upload MP3s, link to your website and suggest specific tracks, links to YouTube, upload a document as an attachment that contains clickable links and information, etc. Make it as easy as possible for the panel to listen to your music.  If the panel cannot  easily locate and listen to your music, you may be disqualified from receiving a grant. Music samples that provide a sense of what you’d like to record on your new album are particularly encouraged, though not required.


Q
:  Can I record my album in my home studio?
A:  The purpose of the grant is to fund a professional and high-quality recording. Home studio recordings are not encouraged and the Pathways To Jazz grant may not be used to purchase equipment for a home studio.


Q
:  What is excluded from funding
A:  Travel, food, equipment, and transportation expenses will not be supported by this grant.


Q:
  Can I apply for more funding if I have been previously funded by Pathways To Jazz?
APrevious grant recipients cannot apply within three consecutive years of their funding year. Consideration will be given first to applicants who have not already received a recording grant.


Q:  When will I know if I am selected?
A:  Decisions will be made, and all applicants will be notified by August 31, 2023. Please do not make inquiries before this date.


Q
: I have more questions – who should I ask?
APlease contact info@bouldercountyarts.org. Find past winners and their Pathways To Jazz supported work at www.pathwaystojazz.com