More than 20 music and arts organizations have formed the Music Impact Coalition (MIC) to expand access to music and arts education in US public schools. Its first initiative is a $3 million North Carolina pilot that will test programs for possible use in school systems nationwide.
Funding and participating districts
The pilot combines a $2 million grant from the Tullman Family Office with $1 million from the Enlight Foundation. It will serve eight school districts across rural, suburban and urban communities.
Seven participating districts have been named:
- Buncombe County Schools
- Newton-Conover City Schools
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
- Chatham County Schools
- Cumberland County Schools
- Pitt County Schools
- Wayne County Public Schools
The eighth district will be named later. The coalition said it chose North Carolina because the state’s districts span varied communities and economic conditions, providing settings in which to test approaches for other parts of the country.
Coalition members and state partners
The coalition’s members include:
- CMA Foundation
- GRAMMY Museum
- Recording Academy
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
- NAMM Foundation
- Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
- Save The Music
- Music Will
- D’Addario Foundation
- National Association for Music Education
- Let Music Fill My World
Support within the state comes from the North Carolina Arts Council, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Arts North Carolina and North Carolina Music Educators Association.
Grantmaking and assessment
Coalition leaders will gather in North Carolina on October 15 and October 16 to start the grantmaking process alongside school districts, educators and state partners. Data and assessments from Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation will guide decisions about needs and the allocation of funding and other resources.
Research cited by the coalition associates greater access to arts education with fewer disciplinary incidents, increased student engagement and improvements in writing, empathy and college aspirations.
Funders explain their priorities
Cayley Tull, President of the Tullman Family Office, connected the initiative to the educational needs of young people as artificial intelligence (AI) changes work and daily life.
“As AI reshapes how we live and work, we need to rethink what young people require from their education,” said Tull. “Our future leaders need opportunities to imagine, create, collaborate, and connect with others. Music and the arts give young people space to develop those abilities, discover their own voices, and build a sense of belonging. Through the Music Impact Coalition, we’re working to ensure every young person has access to the creative experiences that will help them thrive in their communities, in the workforce, and throughout their lives.”
Xin Liu, Founder of Enlight Foundation, identified youth mental well-being as a priority for its support.
“Prioritizing youth mental well-being is one of the most vital investments we can make today,” said Liu. “Music and the arts offer young people a safe haven to express themselves, build confidence, and foster meaningful connections. They create essential pathways for youth to thrive. We hope more funders will join forces with MIC!”
