Now Accepting Applications

Applications Due: April 4, 2024, 11:59 PM ET

Since 2000, Chamber Music America has awarded 277 original jazz works grants. The New Jazz Works program provides grants to jazz ensembles based in the U.S., its territories, and Indian country supporting the creation, performance, and recording of new jazz works. The new work may be composed by the ensemble leader or a member of the ensemble/collective. 

The Board of Directors of Chamber Music America has made diversity, inclusion, and equity a primary focus of the organization’s work. CMA’s goal in this program is, through the panel review process, to arrive at a final slate of grantees that is representative of the field in terms of race and gender, as well as the aesthetic range of jazz. Read CMA’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.

A component of the Doris Duke Jazz Ensembles Project, New Jazz Works is funded by the Doris Duke Foundation.

For more info contact: José Feliciano, Director of Grant Programs, jfeliciano@chambermusicamerica.org.

Current Grant Department Office Hours: 

  • Tuesday: 1 PM- 3PM
  • Wednesday: 10AM – 12PM
  • Thursday: 11AM – 12PM

Sign up for office hours on our calendar.

For technical support or problems with your Submittable account (log-in, password, etc.) and software glitches, contact Submittable directly.

 

 

Eligibility
  • Ensembles consisting of 2-10 musicians (including guest artists) may apply to this program. 
  • The primary contact for the application or the ensemble must have current CMA membership status at the time of applying.  
  • New Jazz Works funds musical artists only; non-musical artists are not supported by this program. 

An Ensemble is eligible if:

  • it is a professional composer-led or collective jazz ensemble (student groups are not eligible). 
  • it is based in the U.S., its territories or Indian country. 
  • the leader is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 
  • it includes improvisation as an integral part of composition and performance. 
  • it has no overdue financial or reporting obligations to CMA or for any CMA grants. 

An ensemble or composer may be on an application in either CMA’s 2024 New Jazz Works program or the 2024 Classical Commissioning program, but not both.   

If the ensemble or commissioned composer has a current 2024 commissioning project under a 2024 Artistic Projects grant, they cannot apply.  

The Composer:

  • may be either the bandleader or a member of the ensemble/collective. 
  • is an individual, not a group. 
  • must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 
  • must have fulfilled any outstanding obligations from prior CMA grants at the time of application. 

A composer may be on an application to either CMA’s 2023 New Jazz Works program or the 2023 Classical Commissioning program, but not to both. 

Composers on current commissioning projects under a 2023 Artistic Projects grant may not apply.

2024 New Jazz Works Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to the New Jazz Works program?

A professional U.S. jazz ensemble, consisting of 2-10 musicians, including guest artists, may submit one application. The program typically receives applications from composer-led ensembles, and collectives. In either case, the application must list a singular composer who will compose the new jazz work.

How much funding can we request?

​​Depending on the size of your ensemble, New Jazz Works offers up to $37,000 in funding for the duration of the grant cycle.

Does our ensemble need to have nonprofit status?

No, nonprofit status is not required to apply for the New Jazz Works program.

Does the band have to be based in the U.S.?

Yes, the ensemble must be based in the U.S., its territories, or Indian country, and the leader must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.

We currently have funding through another CMA program; may we apply to New Jazz Works?

If you are currently funded for a commision through the Classical Commissioning Program or Artistic Projects, you may not apply to New Jazz Works.

If your ensemble is engaged in a Presenter Consortium for Jazz grant or funded for a performance/recording-only project through Artistic Projects, you are welcome to apply to New Jazz Works.

We are a composers' collective that also performs. May we apply to co-compose a new work?

No, the program commissions only one composer per grant cycle.

I've already composed the work and need funds for a CD release. Is New Jazz Works a good fit?

No. The New Jazz Works commission supports the composition, recording, and performance of an entirely new work.

Does the New Jazz Works support touring?

Yes. Grantee ensembles have the option to use the grant’s Continued Life funds towards touring support. 

What do we need to begin an application?

Applicants need to review program guidelines and complete an online application form through Submittable, submitting 4 audio samples and 1 score. 

Who evaluates my application?

Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of professional jazz musicians; CMA staff and board do not participate in the deliberations. (Representative list of CMA panelists.)

Who receives the payment if we are awarded a grant?

New Jazz Works grant funds are disbursed to the primary contact as listed on the application. The primary contact is responsible for distributing the funds to the other ensemble musicians and organizing necessary receipts, invoices and documentation for all expenses related to the grant.

Are grant funds taxable?

Yes. The primary contact is responsible for filing the appropriate tax forms.

When must our New Jazz Works activity take place?

Grant recipients have three years to complete all grant-related activities.

Who can I contact for help with my application?

For guideline clarifications or general grant questions, please contact José R. Feliciano at jfeliciano@chambermusicamerica.org.

For technical assistance with the Submittable platform (username, password, etc.), please go directly to Submittable Help. (Please note: CMA does not have access to your Submittable account on the backend.)

Why does Chamber Music America ask for my race and ethnicity?

CMA collects data on race and ethnicity in connection to grant programs and applications; membership; and surveys with partner organizations, like funding partners. As such, CMA has developed a set of standards for keeping, collecting, and presenting data on race and ethnicity that aim to provide consistency in collecting and using this type of data.

These standards have been developed in accordance with data collection standards by other groups such as CMA’s funders, federal agencies, and agencies that track race and ethnicity data.

Keep reading here.