MusiCares: A Lifeline for Music Industry Professionals

MusiCares: A Lifeline for Music Industry Professionals

Target Audience: Individuals working in the music business seeking financial, mental health, or wellness support (from venue owners, managers and staff).

Session Description: The music industry is dynamic and rewarding, but it also comes with unique financial, health, and wellness challenges. MusiCares, the nonprofit arm of the Recording Academy, has provided over $118 million in assistance to music professionals in need. This session will explore the wide range of support MusiCares offers, including financial aid, preventive healthcare, mental health resources, addiction recovery, disaster relief, and career sustainability programs. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to access these critical services and how to help spread awareness within the music community.

Instructed by: Jennifer Leff & Stefanie Curtiss|MusiCares

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Workshop Presentation Deck

  • Staff or Team Discussion Questions:

    Awareness & Impact

    1. What surprised you most about the range of services MusiCares provides?
      (e.g., funeral costs, rent support, therapy referrals, dental clinics, etc.)

    2. How familiar were you with MusiCares before this session, and has that changed?
      What do you think has kept their work under the radar for some professionals?

    3. What barriers might exist for someone in our community accessing MusiCares services?
      How could we help reduce those?

    Outreach & Communication

    1. The deck states most people hear about MusiCares through a trusted friend or colleague.
      How can we help spread the word authentically within our networks?

    2. How might we incorporate information about MusiCares into our onboarding, training, or internal communication channels?

    3. What are some creative ways we could spotlight MusiCares during future events or programs?

    Program Integration & Support

    1. Are there any VOX program touch points (workshops, check-ins, mentorship) where MusiCares could be introduced or integrated?

    2. How could we use MusiCares’ offerings—like financial coaching or emotional support groups—to support interns or early-career professionals in our programs?

    3. Do we currently have a process for referring someone in need to MusiCares? Should we create one?

    Equity & Access

    1. Given MusiCares’ focus on under-recognized professionals, how can we ensure the most marginalized in our community know about and access their support?

    2. How can we make sure our team is prepared to identify when someone might benefit from a MusiCares referral—even if they aren’t asking for help directly?