Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers Joins TNC to Expand Music Instruction in Colorado

DENVER (September 29, 2021) — Applications are now open for Round 2 of Take Note Colorado’s 2021 Grant Program. The Take Note Grant Program is a responsive, competitive opportunity for individuals and organizations statewide to offer highly inclusive, culturally relevant and student-centered music introduction. Individuals and organizations can apply for up to $10,000 to develop programming that meets Take Note’s goal.

“As we power the state’s comeback, more access to music education inspires young Coloradans across our state. I applaud Take Note Colorado for raising thousands of dollars to continue these programs,” says Governor Jared Polis.

In March 2021, TNC announced raising $229,100 and the distribution of funds to twenty-four organizations across Colorado. In addition, TNC also announced that renowned musician Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers agreed to serve as the Co-Chair and Artist Ambassador for the 2021 Board of Directors. “Music is often overlooked as an outlet as a way to get through hard times like this or early adulthood, said Schultz. “Get people involved in music at an early age so that it’s not so formalized and intimidating to them.”

In the first round of 2021 grant funding, ten organizations were awarded a total of $75,295:

• Adams County Youth Drum Line & World Music Percussion Ensemble – Metro Denver
• Artist of the Year Roaring Fork Valley – Western CO
• Colorado Music Bridge Digital Music Program – Metro Denver
• DREAMTrack Workshop Series – Metro Denver & Northern CO
• Fort Collins Cultural Enrichment Center Guitar Instruction Program – Northern CO
• IAM Music Outreach – Southwestern CO
• Inside Out Youth Services’ DJ/MC Skillz Lab – Southern CO
• Kids on Marimbas for the North Fork Valley – Western CO
• Songwriting for Children (Kid Pan Alley) – Northern CO
• VOICES Drum Circle Project – Western CO

“TNC’s funding allows the Cultural Enrichment Center to offer our Black youth beginner guitar lessons on Tuesday afternoons.  Our students are thrilled to check out an acoustic guitar and take it home to practice each week, as well as explore their own creative connection to the instrument,” says Jamal Skinner, Founder and Executive Director of the Fort Collins Cultural Enrichment Center.

Take Note Colorado has partnered with Denver Arts & Venues and their Denver Music Advancement Fund to support youth music education in the City & County of Denver, granting $25,000 in 2020 and 2021. Grant recipients have included Youth on Record, Vocal Coalition, New Cottage Arts, Levitt Pavilion, ACT Music Institute and Colorado Conservatory for Jazz Arts.

TNC has also supported Boys and Girls Clubs in Colorado with a grant of $43,000 for three clubs – Southern Ute Tribe, Black Canyon and San Luis Valley.

The submission application deadline for the Take Note Grant Program is 4:00 PM, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. Notification of grant awards will be completed in late November and funds will be distributed in December, 2021. Grant guidelines and access to the online application are at takenotecolorado.org.  All questions can be emailed to info@takenotecolorado.org.

To learn more about the impact of Take Note’s Grant Program, read about the work of 2020-2021 grantees here.