Launching the Lewis Prize for Music Awards

We are thrilled today to announce the inaugural awardees of The Lewis Prize for Music.

All of us at The Lewis Prize believe music in the lives of young people drives positive change in our society. Music combined with love builds community, fosters engaged citizens and supports young people’s growth into holistic individuals. Our aim is for every young person, regardless of who they are or where they live, to have the opportunity to access music programs from a young age. Today’s announcement of the inaugural Lewis Prize awards is our first step in pursuit of this vision.

We’ve arrived here after more than two years of learning and listening. We are grateful to the more than 150 people from communities across the United States who provided us with input, insight and inspiration.  At our early community meetings, we heard the imperative of taking care to avoid destabilizing programs with overwhelming resources. During our 2019 Institute, we were encouraged to create an open Letter of Interest so we could consider work at all stages of development and progress. Most recently, our Finalist Review Panel proposed multi-level awards in order to resource projects that are in a variety of stages. 

We recognize our 2020 Awardees for all they are doing to create access to high-quality and diverse music programs for the young people in their communities and beyond. Whether they are expanding already robust initiatives or pursuing early-stage innovations, we are enthusiastic to share the awardees’ progress as they build upon their already impressive achievements. 

There are hundreds of remarkable leaders and programs in neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country with the same commitment. We are grateful so many responded to our Letter of Interest and our hope is to remain connected to them and their work. We know that through collaboration we will make our shared vision of music for all young people a reality. As we do, we will share what we’ve learned and continue to learn. Finally, we invite feedback, just as we’ve done since the beginning. 

Thank you for your belief in the imperative of music in the lives of young people!

- Daniel R. Lewis and Dalouge Smith