Grantee Database

Department of Sound

Grant Year

2023-24

Grant Program

General Operating Support

Award Amount

$46,749.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, Department of Sound will use funds to support partial compensation for the Director of Education and two program managers whose roles are essential in meeting current and future requests for music and podcast production education programming. We will recruit 30 new instructors to increase capacity to fulfill requests for the Valley Producer Academy School Program. Additionally we will engage in local community events, music festivals, and school activities to meet prospective candidates; connect with local music teachers, school administrators, and community leaders who can refer qualified candidates; and attract educators through social media and online job posts. Newly contracted instructors will then be trained and equipped with the necessary skills and support to provide continued exceptional music education experiences for students in underserved communities in the Sacramento area.

Organization Summary

Department Of Sound provides comprehensive music, audio engineering, and podcast production education through high-quality, technology-enabled curricula. We empower students and educators to create a wide range of meaningful and authentic content without expensive instruments or specialized equipment beyond an Internet-enabled device. We utilize an innovative approach to learning, offering multiple points of access for students, including online courses, mentorship programs, social media tutorials, community events, schools, and professional media industry locations. We fulfill our mission by producing educational content, such as the Sound Mind Curriculum for mental health support through music and mindfulness, developing partnerships with public schools and community organizations, and disseminating free and accessible music education resources.
By approaching music and audio engineering education with out-of-the-box creativity, we aim to not only reduce barriers to access but also foster a sense of curiosity, excitement, inclusion, and belonging for all our students as we teach practical skills to support their creative expression, mental health, and future aspirationsThrough the innovative Sound Mind Initiative, DOS integrates music production, podcasting, and audio engineering with social-emotional learning, mental wellness practices, and community-building opportunities.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully crafted in response to direct feedback from youth and extensive research on youth education and mental health. Participants benefit from multiple points of access including interactive online courses, in-school and after-school programs, professional studio residencies, mentorship opportunities, social media tutorials, and community events.

Organization

Department of Sound

Address

2514 Chinatown Alley, Sacramento CA 95816

Sacramento

95816

County

Sacramento

Region

Capital

Phone

(916) 996-2999

Congressional District

California Assembly district 7

State Assembly District

6

State Senate District

8

Subscribe to the California ArtBeat weekly newsletter

Skip to content