November 04, 2024 I Award
Music Forward Foundation, Gibson Gives Name Recipients of LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards
The Music Forward Foundation, a national nonprofit in the Live Nation family that creates opportunities for young talent, has partnered with Gibson Gives, the non-profit division of Gibson, to support the annual grant program the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards. The goal of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards is to help break down the barriers of access in the music industry, allowing artists to have thriving and successful careers and to promote a more inclusive music industry.
The Music Forward Foundation and Gibson Gives have announced the 10 LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award recipients for 2024. Each recipient will receive: $3,000 grant; $1,000 Gibson retail for an instrument; performance opportunities that include the Gibson Garage Nashville; and a career mentoring session with singer-songwriter and record producer Butch Walker. They will also receive quarterly mentorship with the Gibson and Music Forward teams.
Acclaimed artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Trombone Shorty and Andrae Alexander are past Music Forward program participants and grant recipients, while performers, including Kahlid, Sophia Carson, Lauren Daigle, Martina McBride, Carlos Santana and Julia Michaels, have served as ambassador/mentors for Music Forward.
Gibson Gives will donate more than $43,000 to the program for 2024, including $33,000 in cash grants ($30k grants/$3k admin fees), and $10,000 in Gibson retail for an instrument. Music Forward develops and administers the grant awards from selection to distribution, and Music Forward and the Gibson team collectively develop and execute mentorship programs. The Quarterly Mentorship Opportunities range from songwriting sessions with Gibson artists to exploring a variety of trending topics and skills, including Gibson and Live Nation Leadership professionals sharing knowledge and insight on what it takes to find success in the business, learning from experts who have turned their passions into professions in the ever-changing entertainment industry, from bands to boardrooms and everything in between.
“Gibson Gives is proud to partner with Music Forward to support the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award,” said Erica Krusen, global executive director of Gibson Gives. “We believe in the power of individual voices and strive to break down barriers, promoting a more inclusive music industry. These awards support often-marginalized artists, nurturing their growth and helping them achieve their greatest artistic potential.”
“At Music Forward, we work towards inspiring young artists and providing resources to drive their careers forward while making the industry more inclusive for all voices,” said Nurit Siegel Smith, executive director of the Music Forward Foundation. “The LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award is a staple of our programs, and we are excited for our partnership with Gibson Gives to continue to empower the next generation of LGBTQ+ musicians.”
