*Motown Records has announced two new programs for Detroit-area musicians and music-tech startups that will provide them with access to hands-on coaching, networking opportunities and $20,000 grants.
The move is a partnership with the Motown Museum, Capitol Music Group, TechTown Detroit and Gener8tor, aimed at fostering local talent and entrepreneurs, Billboard reports. The publication notes four artists or groups will be selected for the inaugural 12-week program this summer and submissions are being accepted through July 5 at motownmusicianaccelerator.com.
Four to six Detroit start-ups will also be selected for a seven-week program called gBETA Musictech. Five more international acts will be solicited for the music program at the Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood.
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“Detroit has always been a creative hub for new talent and development,” Motown Records President Ethiopia Habtemariam said in a statement. With the accelerator program, “we have an opportunity to come back to Detroit and highlight the incredible talent that has always existed in their community.”
The four selected Detroit artists will be provided with $20,000 grants to use for studio time, travel, photo shoots and other related expenses.
“This is truly a deep, passion project for me,” said Paul Riser, director of Detroit urban solutions at TechTown Detroit and son of Motown musician Paul Riser, Sr., in a statement. “Being the son of an original Funk Brother, producer and arranger during early days of Motown, I grew up witnessing and experiencing the creation of music that is truly world-renowned and which will forever be the heartbeat of the great city of Detroit. But after observing the unfortunate decrease in investment for creative arts in schools, I’ve strived to not only be a part of the city’s revitalization, but to contribute to a renewed intersection of music, innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The program will be free, and participants will be allowed to keep any and all royalties or additional income streams, the report states.
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