Tulsa Music Changemaker Accelerator

musicians wanted in tulsa red dirt relief fund

Tulsa’s first Musician Changemaker Accelerator (TMCA) – a full-day incubator for Oklahoma-based musicians – launches on Wednesday, November 2nd at OKPOP in collaboration with local nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund and national charity Music to Life.  The TMCA will work with up to 20 artist changemakers with ideas for building positive, music-driven and sustainable community programs. 

Supported with funding from the Arvest Foundation, the TMCA is a ‘deep-dive’ business-skills session where artists receive training in proposal development, identifying good-fit partners and mobilizing community support. TMCA also connects artists with local community advocates and industry changemakers including Accelerator presenters Tulsa Creative Engine Co-founder, Chris Davis; artist activist, Branjae; and  “Anvdvnelisgi” Cherokee Language record producer, Jeremy Charles.  Finally, TMCA pairs artists with volunteer business mentors from Tulsa’s SCORE chapter for post-training technical assistance and program troubleshooting.  

According to Red Dirt Relief Fund Executive Director Katie Dale, “We are excited to partner with Music to Life to bring this opportunity for Tulsa musicians to dig in to their passions for social change while showcasing one more way Tulsa is a music city. It’s our mission to provide assistance to music people in crisis, but we also realize helping musicians build sustainable careers can often prevent them from needing our help in the first place.”

Participating artists receive a full package of benefits including: complimentary pass to the Tulsa Music Cities Convention ($600 value; thanks to Tulsa Film, Music, Arts + Culture and Music Cities Events), $50 stipend, complimentary breakfast and lunch, and all Accelerator training and materials (estimated value of $1K).  

Applications are now open to musicians with ideas for community-based programs. Application is linked here. Deadline is October 17 at 5 pm. As Red Dirt Relief Fund’s mission to serve all Oklahoma music creators intersects with Music to Life’s commitment to racial justice, equity and inclusion, applications from women, people of color, and those who identify with or are members of historically marginalized or underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged. 

Music to Life is a national nonprofit, co-founded by Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) and his daughter Liz, to connect socially conscious musicians with the mentors, resources and training needed to realize their bold visions for community change. For more, visit www.musictolife.org.

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