Grantee Database
SYNCHROMY
Grant Year
2023-24
Grant Program
General Operating Support
Award Amount
$38,499.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, Synchromy will produce two seasons of new music by diverse LA-based composers, bringing underrepresented musical voices to underserved communities in accessible, welcoming, non-traditional venues and formats across Los Angeles county. In addition to concerts, we provide professional development for composers and foster community engagement through ongoing partnerships. The General Operating Support grant will go toward artist fees, production and exhibition costs, and marketing and administrative costs.
As an organization in a steady growth phase, this grant will also enable us to hire a communications manager in order to broaden and deepen audience engagement. We will also use the funds to develop and implement accessibility strategies. Synchromy is motivated to provide funded opportunities for composers, musicians, and community partners navigating this uncertain post-Covid economy.
Organization Summary
LIVE MUSIC PROGRAMMING
Synchromy produces 6-8 live music programs annually, motivated by our mission to support underrepresented composers and produce projects with a purpose. Our 2023-24 season features 6 programs, comprising 14 live performances and 9 world premieres by LA composers; programming for the 2024-25 season is in progress. Tickets are free or low-cost. For paid events, we distribute free tickets through partner organizations. A number of our events take place outdoors, and we produce new and ongoing works online.
SUPPORT FOR COMPOSERS
Synchromy supports composers’ artistic, professional, and community development. In 2022, we increased our commissioning fee to $1500 at minimum, and pay composers, musicians, and crew equitably. We support the creative process from inception through production and beyond. We provide composers with high-quality documentation and press kits, which are crucial in obtaining further funding and performance opportunities. At a community level, we hold Composer Welcoming Committees each month, inviting composers who are new to Los Angeles to meet with our artistic directors and pitch ideas. We are currently developing Calculator for Creativity in conjunction with universities across LA to help student composers transition to professional life.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Synchromy believes that an effective way to diversify our audiences, serve the underserved, and continue to grow is through collaboration. We began our collaboration initiative in 2018 and have continued this initiative through our current fiscal year. We partner with the Audubon Society, the LA Conservancy, as well as Monk Space, Chapman University, SpacePants, AutoDuplicity, and Basic Flowers. Our goal over the next two years is to create five new partnerships per year in our new Pasadena home, including collaborations with outreach facilities (homeless shelters, low income housing, and the like), educational bodies, and to offer childcare for audience members through collaborations with church nursery facilitators.
Organization
Synchromy
Address
1390 North Arroyo Blvd
Pasadena
91103
County
Los Angeles
Region
South – Los Angeles & Orange
Phone
(360) 305-7825
Congressional District
California Assembly district 43
State Assembly District
District 43
State Senate District
District 24
