Moving Artists Forward: Another Worthy Music Model
April 25, 2010
If you are someone interested in new, developing models for the music industry, you might want to check out this new not-for-profit consulting firm for musicians. Headed by Seton Hawkins and my good friend Alex Kamergorodsky, Moving Arts Forward is a general music service non-profit organization that offers artistic advisement, business development, educational services, and performance opportunities to independence artists and arts organizations. This startup is trying to develop the arts through a new model that involves finding grants, connecting artists to necessary people and organizations, finding agents, providing legal advice and putting on free community events. In doing so, Alex and Seton are trying to free musicians from the grasp of the “industry,” something I have documented in some of my previous posts.
A great example of their work involves a South African jazz singer by the name of Sathima Bea Benjamin. Recently, Sathima has agreed to go to the Kalahari Desert to record with the Khosian, a group of herders and hunters with an immense culture in Southern Africa. You may have heard of them in Dave Matthews’ son Eh Hee. Sathima will then be re-imaging and re-mastering the recording into three different versions, each with a unique style and sound. By working with the MAF, Sathima has achieved her goals through outside funding and connections to personnel in South Africa with no abrasive contracts that most artists are asked to sign. This is a great example of new, innovative alternatives for artists when pursing the business aspect of their music careers.
So what’s next for Moving Arts Forward? A new division is currently in the works that will be responsible for organizing numerous music festivals to promote up-and-coming bands through concerts connected with every day causes. All of the money, according to Alex, will be donated to a specific charity or group in need.
I personally see this as a great first step. In the future, Seton and Alex might want to partner with some online services currently trying to innovate the industry with their own models. If you are an artist looking for guidance, a venue looking for support, someone that wants to join the team, or a web based service that wants to get in touch with Moving Arts Forward, you can check out their website (movingartsforward.org) or contact Alex at akamergorodsky@gmail.com
