We thank everyone who has recently shared concerns regarding a New Music USA grant allocation. As we strive to be an anti-oppression organization, we have made a commitment to hold ourselves and our fellow organizations accountable.
We promised to welcome feedback when our actions do not align with our values, to listen without defensiveness, and to support and elevate the voices of those who, too often, go unheard.
Members of our community reached out to us with concerns about the allocation of a project grant featuring a work reflecting on the acts of violence at Pulse nightclub. You shared concerns that the LGBTQIA+, Latinx, and Black and Afro-Latinx communities most affected by the tragedy have not had ample space in the creative conversation.
We have been in close conversations with the Philharmonic as we balance these very valid concerns. After careful consideration, the Philharmonic elected to decline our funding as they begin a deeper conversation on how to include and support all members of their community.
We hear your feedback. You asked us to take special care to ensure that marginalized communities be the ones to tell their own stories. In this instance, our grant evaluation process did not fully and consistently reflect our values. As we move forward, we will look carefully at our application materials, criteria, communications, and how we can build greater transparency into all of our processes.
Thank you to everyone who reached out, provided feedback, and added their voices. We are committed to getting this right.
