Keychange U.S. Inc. is a charitable non-profit organization championing gender equality and diversity within the music industry. The global movement originated as Keychange in Europe in 2017 under the leadership of Vanessa Reed and the PRS Foundation (UK), Reeperbahn Festival (Germany), and Musikcentrum Öst (Sweden). The Global Keychange Pledge boasts more than 613 signatories across the music ecosystem. Each organization tailors the Pledge to demonstrate its authentic commitment towards gender equality. On June 14th, 2022, Keychange U.S. launched in close collaboration with a generous contribution from Founding Sponsors Believe and TuneCore. Keychange U.S. is building on the global success of the movement to authentically develop a stronger, safer, and more inclusive U.S. music industry for all.

The Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program aims to provide holistic professional development and career support to women and gender-expansive *Emerging artists and innovators. The program offers career development, a mentorship program, team meet-ups, and showcase and speaking opportunities at partner festivals and conferences, and will run from May 2024 to November 2024. Thirty (30) participants will be selected from the music hubs Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City, Austin, and Atlanta. In future years, the program will expand to additional participants and cities. Additionally, participants will take part in an exclusive mentorship program and other activities for career building and educational training.

*An Emerging ‘Artist’ is defined as anyone who writes and performs their own music, including, singers, songwriters, musicians or DJs. An ‘Innovator’ is defined as anyone who does not perform their own music, and is a music industry professional, including entrepreneurs, producers, engineers, A&R executives, music managers, lawyers, community organizers, music technology professionals, etc. NOTE: A songwriter or DJ who does not perform their own original music may apply as an Innovator.

Friday, January 19, 2024: Application period opens on Submittable

Friday, March 22, 2024: Application period closes on Submittable

Monday, March 25 - Friday, April 26, 2024: Application Review Period

Friday, April 26, 2024: Participant Invitation emails are sent through Submittable, including a draft contract and list of required participation dates and terms

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time: Deadline for selected applicants to accept participation, confirm availability, sign the contract, and fill out required grant criteria

Tuesday, April 30, 2024: Alternate participant(s) will be contacted with an invitation to participate

Friday, May 3, 2024: Final Deadline for alternate applicant(s) to accept participation, confirm availability, sign the contract, and fill out required grant criteria

Wednesday, May 8, 2024: First Virtual Zoom with Cohort

Friday, May 10, 2024: Declined applicants will receive notification and thanks for applying

Monday, May 13, 2024: Keychange U.S. Publicly Announces Final Cohort

Monday, June 10 - Wednesday, June 12, 2024: Opening Meetup/Launch Event in NYC (TBD)

The Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program supports women and gender expansive Artists and Innovators who wish to progress to the next stage in their career through a six month professional development program of targeted mentoring, showcase and speaking opportunities, workshops and professional development sessions. The program will run from May 2024 through November 2024. Should pandemic restrictions occur, Keychange U.S. will host events virtually. Applicants are required to commit to all virtual and online events and phases of the program. 

Applicants must not have previously participated in Keychange Talent Development Program

Applicants may not currently be an employee, hired to work on a project, or plan to work with (officially or unofficially) a proposed event Partner or Sponsor (ex. TuneCore, Believe, Keychange, Conference and Festival Partners, including Joshua Tree Music Festival, Mondo NYC, Winter Jazz Festival, NAMM, etc.)

Applicants are required to commit to the full duration of the program (6 months) from May 2024 - November 2024, and all virtual and in person events, including but not limited to:

Virtual meet-ups: First Virtual Zoom meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (1 hour)

In-person meet-ups: Attend the Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program Official Launch and Opening Meetup June 10-12, 2024 in NYC (TBD) and Closing Meetup in October/November 2024 in LA (TBD)

Virtual Professional Development Sessions (Dates are TBD): Attend and participate in monthly virtual professional development sessions on various topics led by industry partners

Mentorship Sessions (Dates are TBD): Must be ready, willing, and open to career development and participate in the exclusive mentorship program including 5 hours of individual Mentor/Mentee Sessions

Participation in one music festival or conference (May 2024 - November 2024): Artists will perform at one festival or showcase and Innovators will speak at one conference)

Potential Showcase or Speaking Opportunities (Subject To Change. Individual Preferences Not Guaranteed):

Americanafest Music Festival (September 2024, Nashville, TN)

Joshua Tree Music Festival (October 2024, Joshua Tree, CA)

Mondo NYC Conference (October 2024, New York, NY)

Music Tectonics Conference (October 2024, Santa Monica, CA)

The Wavy Awards (November 2024, New York, NY)

Jump Global Summit (November 2024, Los Angeles, CA)

Winter Jazz Music Festival (January 2025, New York, NY)

National Association of Music Merchants "NAMM" (January 2025, Anaheim, CA)

Folk Alliance International Music Festival (February 2025, Kansas City, MO)

SXSW (March 2025 Austin, TX)

New Colossus Festival (March 2025, New York, NY)

Muse Expo (March 2025, Los Angeles, CA)

Music Biz (May 2025, Nashville, TN)

The Talent Development Program is designed for individuals seeking to advance their career and offers a number of benefits and resources. In order to maximize the experience, we count on you to be fully present and engaged throughout the program.

Each selected participant will receive a travel allowance “Stipend” so they can attend our official launch/first meetup in June 2024, our final meetup in October/November 2024, and perform at one festival or speak at one conference (with ticket accreditation). Participants will also take part in an exclusive mentorship program and professional development sessions for career-building and educational training. In addition, Participants will have access to an inspiring community of Keychange U.S. participants who are part of the program. The more you put into the Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program, the more you get from it! As well as being part of our global movement for gender equality and diversity in the music industry in partnership with various partners, sponsors, signatories, and ambassadors.

We allocate extra funds to participants with childcare needs, and to those with access needs.

NOTE: Selected Participants only receive a travel allowance (60% upfront / 40% later) along with other benefits. Participants are expected to purchase all travel tickets for the entire program within one week of receiving the funds and email the KCUS team copies of your reservations. Lodging will be provided directly by KCUS. Detailed instructions and more information will be provided when you receive the welcome letter.

Overview:

1. A Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program virtual group meetup

2. Two full network in person meetups

3. An opportunity to perform or speak at one festival or conference, including accreditation/festival ticket

4. Mentorship Program

5. Virtual Professional Development Sessions led by industry experts

6. Promotion via Keychange U.S. social media channels

7. Access to an exclusive networking/chat for Keychange U.S. participants

Global pandemic permitting, if you are unable to travel, we will provide suitable online/virtual alternatives

Please note: Most costs will be covered by Keychange U.S., however, some financial participation may be required on your part, especially if you plan to bring band members to a selected performance showcase.

If you are applying as an Artist, you are the official “Participant” of the Talent Development Program. If you are a part of a band, you may bring up to three band members to accompany you onstage at your official showcase/festival performance. A band can consist of a maximum of four persons, including you as the Artist Participant in the TDP. Keychange U.S. may provide accommodation for the selected TDP Participant plus additional band members (TBD). You will be responsible for any additional needs or accommodations for all band members.

I) In order to apply to the Talent Development Program, please visit the Keychange U.S. website where you will find an overview of the program, requirements, deadlines, frequently asked questions and our privacy notices.

II) We use the grant management system Submittable to collect applications, and below you will find instructions on how to log on to and navigate the platform. In order to proceed and launch the application, you must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and sign the Eligibility Form. You may apply HERE.

GUIDELINES: HOW TO USE SUBMITTABLE

TYPES OF BROWSERS AND DEVICES (Do not apply via a Mobile Phone)

The SubmittableOur platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Internet Explorer and older versions of Edge are not supported. Please make sure you are using a supported browser, and that the files are valid file types. You can find the acceptable file types under the "Choose File" button on the application.

Please use a laptop or desktop computer to apply. File uploads may not work on some mobile devices. If you are unable to upload the files, please try a different browser. The Submittable platform works well with the Firefox or Chrome browsers.

You can download Firefox by following the instructions linked here.

You can download Chrome by following the instructions linked here.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR NAVIGATING THE SUBMITTABLE PLATFORM AND APPLYING

Please read all instructions before launching the application.

Start by creating a free Submittable account. You can also sign in with Google or Facebook credentials.

Save your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later time.

To make changes to your form, please withdraw your submission and resubmit.

To change your status or information after submitting the application, please request to edit the submission (this can only be done before the application deadline).

The Submittable platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. If you have any trouble uploading file uploads, please try a different browser and be sure to use a laptop or computer, not a mobile device.

Internet Explorer and older versions of Edge are not supported. Please make sure you are using a supported browser, and that the files are valid file types. You can find the acceptable file types under the "Choose File" button on the application.

We will follow up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure to safelist notification emails from Submittable and check the email you used to sign up for your Submittable Account regularly.

Check out the Submitter Resource Center for help videos and articles, or reach out to Submittable's Customer Support team at https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/ with any technical questions. DO NOT CONTACT KEYCHANGE U.S. with Submittable user questions. Please give yourself enough time to prepare materials, read instructions and fill out the application ahead of the deadline, do not wait until the last day to apply. We are not responsible for internet outages, bad wifi connection, laptop malfunctioning or other glitches or circumstances that could cause you to miss the deadline, please plan accordingly.

In the KEYCHANGE U.S. TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION you will be asked for the following:

• Your contact information

• Decide whether to apply as an Artist or an Innovator

• A short biography

• An short outline of your achievements and career to date

• To confirm whether this is the right time in your career to be a part of the Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program

• How you will make the most of the opportunity to develop their creative and business goals during and after the project

• Establish how you will contribute to and benefit from the Keychange U.S. network

• Gather voluntary information to monitor the breadth and diversity of applicants

For more F.A.Q., please check here.