New Project To Explore Technology in Jazz

By I Nov. 25, 2008

The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation announced last week that it has received a three-year grant of $1 million from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The funding will support the launch of jazz.NEXT, a research and development program that will support projects incorporating technology in substantive and innovative approaches to audience development, communications, distribution, marketing and the building of support networks in jazz.

The goal of jazz.NEXT will be to encourage creative thinking that will result in the development of new operating models to be incorporated into the ongoing practice of jazz artists, organizations, and presenters. Program participants will share experiences, ideas, and lessons learned through regularly scheduled meetings and ongoing communications facilitated by a dedicated online site. Findings from the program will be made available to a broad audience of jazz artists and supporters.

“Jazz is in a time of particular distress as its traditional support systems decline and the music marketplace is being transformed by new technologies,” said Alan Cooper, Executive Director of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. “With a long history of supporting jazz, we are pleased to be partnering with the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to help the jazz community address core issues that can shape and strengthen future operating practice and build a more sustainable environment for the art form.”

More info: midatlanticarts.org