In the summer of 2020, Grove Studios and Leon Speakers entered into an agreement to create a fellowship intended to amplify African-American creativity in Washtenaw County. The partnership encompasses artistic development, collaborations with the community through service, and experiential learning at both Grove and Leon Speakers. We intend to support the cultivation of musical talent and growth of the modern music movement in the area to develop Washtenaw County as an innovative hub of music for generations to come.
The Amplify Fellowship supports our fellows in putting together Albums, EPs, or Single Releases through the course of their year-long fellowship.
These projects are our pride and joy.
2023
Coming Soon
Gwenyth Hayes | Baddie Brooks | Where She Creep
Gwenyth Hayes | Baddie Brooks | Where She Creep
2022
2021
Who we’re doing it for.
ELIGIBLE FELLOWS ARE…
African-American
Washtenaw County Resident
Passionate About Music
Interested in making a difference
Mission
The mission of the Amplify fellowship is to provide resources and access to African-American musical artists to encourage free expression untethered by social inequity. We commit to leveraging business relationships and community partnerships to amplify the voices of Black artists, encouraging artistic ownership of their craft and strengthening our connections with communities in need.
Vision
The Amplify Fellowship intends to provide African-American musical artists and/or music-related artisans in our area with the infrastructure to grow, creating great music and building competencies essential to success in the modern music industry. As a result, the area’s musical community will grow in quality and collaboration and become a burgeoning element of the diverse arts and business activity within the area.
Core Values
Authenticity
We amplify unapologetically Black thoughts, ideas, and voices through the gift of music
Creativity
We encourage creators to stretch themselves and construct new meaning
Service
We proactively offer support and strategically respond to the needs of the communities we serve
People
Our relationships we build withstand challenges because of their foundation
Integrity
We do what’s right, not convenient
Kickstart your music career with the creation of a professional music project, a media portfolio and the development of music industry and local business relationships.
What you get
40 hours of time for use at Grove Studios throughout an eight-month period from November to June each year
Mentors in a your discipline
Learn essential skills in the tech-driven music industry,
streaming
event planning
protecting your music legally
Free access to all Grove Studios and Leon Speakers events and educational workshops
Yearly budget to be used for content-related services, including audio engineering, production assistance, session musicians, and video creation
Assistance from Grove staff and affiliates in artist development, performance booking, and marketing
Additional funding from Leon Speakers for approved purchases related to creating music
Participation in a yearly compilation of music and art released to benefit local charities
With great power comes great Responsibility
Fellows will be responsible for:
Support Grove Studios and Leon Speakers through service and setup assistance at events throughout the year that encourage the growth of local music through service
Abide by all rules and standards while using the facilities at Grove Studios and Leon Speakers and illustrate the core values of Grove Studios and Leon Speakers at all times
Participate in all individual and monthly meetings with Fellowship leadership
Select at least one community organization that supports our most at-risk Washtenaw residents to actively serve as a volunteer; spend at least 3 hours monthly supporting the group
Maintain a monthly journal of music-related ideas, thoughts, and experiences to be included in the Grove Studios and Leon Speakers blog
Report any difficulties with scheduling or other issues to Fellowship Director
OUR PARTNERS
We’d love to work with you.
The application period is announced in mid-September each year and is available for all African-American musicians across generations. The participants are not obligated to be from Washtenaw County, and the fellowship is open to participants who are in college. The future fellows will complete a detailed Google form that details their vision for the next year and what they plan to accomplish. After completion of the application, an interview is scheduled with a team composed of leadership team members from Grove Studios and Leon Speakers as well as other key figures from the community. The winners of the fellowship are formally announced at an event in late October.
Follow Our Journey
