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"You guys should really audition for this ArtSmart program," Philadelphia teen Journae Barnes tells NPR.
"And I actually just took the chance and followed through with it."
Barnes, from a musical family, grew up singing in church but didn't have formal training, so she submitted a video to the nonprofit ArtSmart program, which offers one-on-one, tuition-free music lessons to young people in cities across the country.
"I could see the passion coming through your face, and I remember being in love with it because it was so authentic," says ArtSmart mentor Lucas DeJesus.
Barnes, now a freshman at a Philadelphia high school, says she hopes to go to Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Like Barnes, 16-year-old Neveah Fires also auditioned for the program.
She's a huge fan of Disney musicals, and she sang "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid in her first audition.
She's worked with ArtSmart mentor Andrew Monath since last year.
"I feel like I had to build a relationship with Mr. Monath," she says.
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
The 2025 Great Labor Arts Exchange is set for June 20 22 at the Silver Spring Civic Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.The program features powerful plenaries, including a look at the West Virginia...more
Penn, Neubauer Family Foundation, and Philadelphia Police Department partner to support police leadership education.First-of-its-kind collaboration will cover tuition costs for senior PPD personnel...more
Present Music presents several contemporary takes on Baroque innovation and instrumentation.The harpsichord's journey forms a through line for the concert.The cancellation forced Present Music to...more
Rikki Amani will begin doctoral studies in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies at UC Berkeley this fall.Amani: "I will research the objects of my inheritance through the lense of Performance...more
The Creative Impact Fund is one of the largest unrestricted grant funds available to Cuyahoga County artists.The program is designed to promote the growth of an artist's creative practice and advance...more
The I Madonnari Street Painting Festival is a beloved tradition in Santa Barbara.The festival will take place at the Old Mission Santa Barbara Saturday-Monday, May 24-26, from 10 a.m.to noon.Proceeds...more
Foundation: Maine Community Foundation
The initiative aims to fill a gap identified by a 2023 needs assessment completed by the foundation.The foundation aims to strengthen Maine communities by ensuring strong, local news coverage in all...more
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Looks Ahead to 2025-2026 Season.Tickets are on sale now for the new season that begins in September.It will be Music DirectorA James Ross' final season with the...more
Spelman College Glee Club to perform at Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service June 29.The 2025 Syracuse International Jazz Fest finale at Hendricks Chapel will once again offer a dynamic...more
Rowan University's new Ph.D.in creativity program began May 9.The program pairs students with leaders in their field of study for a high intensity, low-residency experience.The required dissertation...more
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.
