The charitable organization Music Rising, co-founded
by U2's The Edge and producer Bob Ezrin in 2005 after the destruction of
Hurricane Katrina, is continuing its mission in saving the musical culture of
New Orleans and the Gulf South by announcing an open call for applications to
the Music
Rising Relief Fund.
The Music Rising Relief Fund is a statewide relief
fund to assist Louisiana musicians and music industry workers who have lost
income during the COVID-19 pandemic. Louisiana's music community is still
trying to recover from the financial losses from 2020 and 2021. In December
2021, Music Rising and Van Eaton Galleries had the "Guitar Icons: A Musical
Instrument Auction to Benefit Music Rising," which raised 2 million dollars for
musicians and gig workers in New Orleans and the neighboring regions. For more details
about the auction, click here.
Music Rising has collaborated with the New Orleans Jazz
& Heritage Foundation, making them Music Rising's
administrative partner during this initiative to allocate funds across
Louisiana. Everyone eligible may apply. The grant is open to musicians and
music industry workers who currently live and work in Louisiana. Depending on
events as a substantial part of their income, they have lost significant revenue
due to the ongoing pandemic, not found supplementary employment, and continue
to suffer economic hardships.
Music Rising Co-Founder Bob Ezrin said in a press
release, "Louisiana musicians are the custodians of unique music heritage,
passing it down through the generations and influencing so many genres of music
we enjoy. We are delighted that the proceeds raised from the Guitar Icons
auction held in Los Angeles on December 11, 2021, will aid those who have
suffered financially through this pandemic."
U2's The Edge, co-founder of Music Rising, said in a
press release, "The music of New Orleans has influenced various styles of music
borrowed from early traditions. It is the birthplace of jazz and represents a
musical culture which bears great significance to most every genre today. If
this multigenerational chain is broken, we lose more than just a few concerts.
We lose an entire culture that stretches back centuries."
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Executive
Director Don Marshall, added, "For generations, our music community has
contributed to the soul of Louisiana; they enrich our lives immeasurably. We
are grateful for our partnership with Music Rising. Their support is a lifeline
to musicians and music industry professionals."
Qualifications to apply are as follows:
- Current
Louisiana residents
- 18
years or older
- Confronting
financial hardships due to the cancellation of events
- Musicians
and/or music industry gig professionals
To be considered, applicants must submit the online
application by Monday, February 28, 2022. Applicants will be notified directly
by the Foundation once grant determinations have been decided on or before
March 31, 2022.
Visit musicrising.com/assistance
to apply.
Applicants without access to a computer or
internet should call the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's Relief
Fund Hotline at 504-558-6108 for application
assistance.
