LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Gibson Gives, the non-profit division of the music instrument manufacturer Gibson is partnering with the Music Forward Foundation to present the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards for 2024.
The LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards are intended to help open doors for non-hetero artists to advance careers in the music industry, while helping the overall industry become more inclusive.
For 2024, ten (10) LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awardees aged 18-24 will be selected after an extensive screening process based in a variety of factors including the strength and breadth of their body of work, artistic vision and the articulation of their career goals.
Winners will be announced during a virtual awards show that will take place in October.
The ten awardees will each receive:
· $3000 Grant
· $1000 Gibson retail for an instrument.
· Performance Opportunities that include the Gibson Garage Nashville and Gibson showrooms, as well as other venues.
· Quarterly Mentorship with established musicians, as well as the Gibson and Music Forward teams.
LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards submissions for applicants are open now HERE.
The timeline for the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards program is as follows:
· Monday, August 5: Applications open.
· Sunday, August 18: Applications close.
· Monday, August 19 – Friday, September 27: Application review and selection.
· Monday, September 30: Awardees notified.
· October 2: Announcement of Awardees.
· Mid-late October: Virtual Award Show.
“Hey all! I’m excited to be supporting the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award, and to celebrate the amazing talent and diversity within the community. This award not only recognizes artistic excellence, but also empowers emerging voices to inspire and create needed change,” Singer-songwriter and record producer Butch Walker, one of the musician mentors for 2024.