Whippoorwill Arts invests in US-based roots musicians; uplifts their talent, gifts, and hard work; and through collective effort, seeks to transform the music ecosystem for more equitable and ethical pay and professional protections. Whippoorwill Arts believes in asking musicians what they need, and in response to their stated needs has developed four core programs:

1. Music aLIVE creates performance opportunities with guaranteed pay for musicians in free concerts. The concerts are curated for underserved communities in non-traditional settings through partner agencies such as senior centers, prisons, rehab centers, veterans’ homes, and K-12 public schools. Each musician receives $200 for a concert that is free to the partner agency and community. More than 300 concerts serving more than 15,000 community members and 600 musicians have been funded to date.

2. Whippoorwill Arts Fellowships recognize and support musicians who are under the radar talent, and have demonstrated a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence. The fellowship awards $25,000 to each musician over two years. Fellows undertake a professional musical project, and join the Whippoorwill Fellow community for professional development, retreats and performance opportunities. To date, 11 fellowships have been awarded.

3. Collaborative Festival – annual festival, past partners include Freshgrass and NorthWest FolkLife;

4. Advocacy – created equitable pay and professional protection guidelines for musicians in partnership with the Center for Music Ecosystems and 4A Arts; currently working with RAMPD (Recording Artists & Music Professionals with Disabilities) and DisArt to better advocate for disabled musicians.