The Lewis Prize for Music Names Ten Finalists for Accelerator Awards

The $500,000 prize helps youth music organizations expand their programs so as to better to serve their communities

Ten American music initiatives that provide access to classical music for underserved young people have been named as finalists for the 2023 Lewis Prize for Music.

Founded by philanthropist Daniel R. Lewis in 2018, the prize selects three organizations annually to receive a $500,000 Accelerator Award.

These grants allow existing youth music organizations to expand their program offerings, hire additional staff, provide training and mentorship, and establish youth music and technology centers for their communities.

The ten finalists are as follows:

El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley - Santa Cruz, CA

Harmony Project Phoenix - Phoenix, AZ

HEAL Center for the Arts - St. Louis, MO

HHN2L: Hip Hop Into Learning - Louisville, KY

Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy - San Pablo, CA

Mana Maoli - Honolulu, HI

Memphis Music Initiative - Memphis, TN

Rock to the Future - Philadelphia, PA

The Bridge Music Project - Olympia, WA

West Point School of Music - Chicago, IL

"These finalists are leaders in youth development through the arts," said Daniel R. Lewis. "Their non-profits energize and enable thriving, change-making youth. The Lewis Prize for Music's annual Accelerator Awards invests in high-performers who reach beyond their individual programs, to collaborate with other leaders toward meaningful and real change."

You can read more about each finalist here. The grant winners will be announced on January 10, 2023.