Grants to USA and territories women or gender-minority-led professional jazz ensembles to improve the quality of the ensemble's performance. Funding is intended for coaching sessions with professional musicians, followed by recording sessions. Diversity, inclusion, and equity are the primary focuses of the organization's work. The Chamber Music America goal in this program is, through the panel review process, to arrive at a final slate of grantees that is representative of the field in terms of racial diversity, as well as the aesthetic range of jazz.
Performance Plus supports gender minority and women-led jazz ensembles by connecting them with an experienced artist-educator.
Chamber Music America’s Performance Plus program recognizes the contributions and diversity of perspectives that U.S.-based gender minorities and women bring to the field of jazz. The program provides grants to U.S.-based gender minority and women-led jazz ensembles to engage an experienced jazz coach for six coaching sessions with the goal of further developing the ensemble’s performance. The coaching sessions will culminate in a recording session resulting in a high-quality demo for use by the jazz ensemble.
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Performance Plus was established to address specific gender-based inequity and exclusion in the field of jazz composition and practice. Bandleaders of professional U.S. jazz ensemble, consisting of 2-10 musicians, who identify as gender minorities or women may submit one application.
Only ensembles may apply to this program. An ensemble is eligible if it
- It is a professional gender minority and women-led jazz ensemble consisting of 2-10 musicians that includes improvisation as an integral part of composition and performance. (The ensemble bandleader must be a gender minority or woman-identifying professional jazz musician);
- It is based in the U.S., Indian Country, or U.S. territories;
- The ensemble bandleader is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
- The ensemble bandleader or the ensemble have no overdue reports or financial obligations to CMA
- The bandleader must be a CMA member at the individual membership level or the ensemble must be a CMA organization-level member at time of application;
The Coach
- The coach must be an accomplished jazz bandleader with demonstrated experience in performance, composing, arranging, instruction, and recording;
- They must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
Ineligible
Current primary contacts/bandleaders for New Jazz Works and Artistic Projects grants cannot apply.
Pre-Application Information
Applications due February 9, 2023, 11:59 PM ET
- Deadline: Thursday, February 9, 2023, 11:59 PM ET
- Notification: April 2023
- Grant Period: April 1, 2023–September 30, 2024
If needed, applicants can consult with CMA staff for recommendations. Applicants are still responsible for choosing their coach. CMA does not assign coaches.
