1. Create an event in which you will invite a speaker, performer, or jazz expert to present about the art of jazz.

2. Apply for a JAZZ2U grant by filling out an easy online application. You will be contacted upon review of your grant application. Please note: Only one JAZZ2U grant approval per person per year.

3. Advertise your event. Please be sure to credit the Jazz Education Network and Herb Alpert Foundation on all marketing materials related to your event. Logos can be provided by request.

4. Share your success with us on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

5. Complete and online evaluation form. Accepted applicants must complete an online evaluation tool when their JAZZ2U Project is finished. (Also explained in the acceptance letter.)

6. The check will be mailed upon completion of the survey.

Grants are limited and provided on a first-come-first-served basis.

What does it take to be approved for a JAZZ2U grant? Ask yourself these questions:

• Is my guest artist a JEN Full Individual member? ($8 monthly;$96 annually)

• If an ensemble, is at least one member a full JEN Full Individual member?

• Are my impact numbers high?

  • The JAZZ2U Committee and the Herb Alpert Foundation (who funds our grant program), like to see attendee numbers in the hundreds.

  • If you’re putting on a masterclass, small clinic or workshop, we suggest it be in conjunction with a big performance (school assembly, evening concert, etc.)

Of course, these are not hard and fast rules. They are guidelines of increasing your odds of being approved. We know there are always exceptions and our committee takes other individual factors into account when reviewing applications. 

JEN will underwrite artist fees for $300 for the purpose of providing a musician(s) to conduct a workshop/masterclass/clinic with students or community members. 

For this category, audience size should a minimum of 50.

As an example, activities in this category include, but are not limited to:

• instrument-specific master classes
• rhythm section workshops
• an improvisation workshop at a university
• high school jazz band clinics
• etc.  

The artist/artist(s) in question, and the requesting individual must be JEN Full Individual members.*  

Monies must be used for artist fees only, and are not to be used for expenses relating to travel, housing or per diem.

*Note: Membership levels eligible to apply include: Full Individual, Corporate, Institution, and School Festival Partner memberships. Click here to become a member.

JEN will underwrite artist fees for $500 for the purpose of providing an ensemble (trio or more) to present an in-school or community jazz performance/informance.

For this category, audience size should be a minimum of 80.

As JEN places a great deal of importance on education, these performances should include some educational aspect (e.g. history and background of the repertoire, explaining the inter-workings of a jazz ensemble, etc.).  

At least one artist in the ensemble and the requesting individual must be JEN Full Individual members.* 

Monies must be used for artist fees only, and are not to be used for expenses relating to travel, housing, or per diem.

*Note: Membership levels eligible to apply include: Full Individual, Corporate, Institution memberships. Click here to become a member.

• Grants are limited to venues within the United States at this time.
• This program is intended to advance the presentation of jazz to young and diverse audiences, to promote the coaching of young musicians in the elements of playing jazz, and to increase paid opportunities for professional jazz musicians.
• Funding is for qualified eligible JEN members with all levels of experience in presenting in-school programs, whether a director, educator, or artist.
• Both the applicant and the artist (leader if it is an ensemble) must be CURRENT eligible JEN members at the time of application and the date of the event.
• The JEN Outreach team is available upon request for assistance in designing content, working with artists in engaging local school audiences, and providing strategies for forming educational partnerships.

2019

Adam Larson 

Adam Schroeder

Adele Dinerstein

Alan Chan

Bill Tiberio

Bryan Itzkowitz

Chris Bruya

Dave McWhorter

David Detweiler

Derick Cordoba

Diane Orlofsky

Dr. Justin Binek

Edward Orgill

Elliott Scozzaro

Gary Phillips

Georgiana Friedman

Harry Schnipper

Howard Bankhead

Jack Nossavage

Jacob Jay

Jim Repa

Jim Widner

John Ehlis

Jonathan Black

Justin Pierce

Karim Yengsep

Keith McCutchen

Kevin Hicks

Lisa Kelly

Dr. Lou Fischer

Louise Rogers

Molly Sender

Nicole Yarling

Phillip Ravita

Rachel Bade-McMurphy

Phillip Ravita

Randy Madsen

Ray Smith

Shannon Gunn

Sparky Koerner

Steve Fidyk

Steve Haines

Todd Kelly

JEN, in collaboration with the Thelonius Monk Institute and the Jazz Journalists Association encourages participation in International Jazz Day on April 30th. Organize an International Jazz Day event in your community. From concerts to classes, no event is too big or too small. Register your event on JazzDay.com to become an official participant and share your event with people around the world.