
The SCALE Fellowship Program
PROMOTING THE ADVANCEMENT OF BLACK WOMEN IN MUSIC
The SCALE Fellowship was designed in 2019 to provide individualized artist development, entrepreneurial skill-building curriculum, and intentional opportunities for Black women in music to connect, share, learn, grow, and collaborate. Each cohort will accept up to 8 participants for the 8-month residency program and provide Fellows with a financial award for acceptance into the program along with additional funds for: equipment, technology, business development, recording, branding, and legal support. SCALE will support Black women in music in designing business strategies along with space to create, produce, and present their work. The program will provide resources (knowledge, network, financial) as well as the support needed to develop a sustainable career and overcome the challenges that exist for Black artists in Pittsburgh.
About the Program
The SCALE Fellowship intends to:
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create an affirmative space for Black women in music to connect
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provide financial support to Black women in music
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provide a platform to showcase Black women in music
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provide entrepreneurial skill-building tools and resources to Black women in music
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support the development of an equity-centered, inclusive, and elevating music ecosystem for emerging artists
The SCALE Fellowship invests over $12,000+ into each artist accepted into the program:
$3,000 award to SCALE Fellows
$9,000+ of professional consulting, artist development, and mentoring & in business development & growth strategy (branding, legal, financial mgmt, marketing etc.)
Program Dates
SCALE Fellowship Kick-off Event Thursday, February 17, 2022
Workshop & Meeting Dates
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Saturday June, 18 2022
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Saturday, July 23, 2022
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Saturday, August 20, 2022
This program stems from a collaboration of multiple partners intending to develop a comprehensive program that provides both immediate and ongoing support to the artists along with opportunities for growth and advancement. Our collective understands the importance and necessity of cross-sector, multilayered collaboration from individuals with both expertise and lived experience, including:
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working artists & musicians that have a national and global platform
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those with proven experience in designing and implementing programs that support artist entrepreneurs
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creative industry professional service providers
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producers & engineers
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songwriters and artist development managers
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technology expertise for virtual platforms
Program Experts, Panelists, Coaches, and Facilitators Include:
Leigh Solomon Pugliano; Musician, Educator, Entrepreneur - SCALE creator and program director
David Pugliano; Entrepreneur, DJ, Producer
Jacquelin Walker; Entrepreneur, Attorney for the Creative Industry
Eritza Laues; Grammy Award Winning Songwriter
Brittany Blackwell; Black Women in Music Research Firm
Tanisha Jackson; Attorney, Writer, Music Historian
Jason McKoy; Artist, Entrepreneur, Founder @ McKoy Creative
Ayesha Scott; Singer, Songwriter, Event Producer, Bacardi USA
The SCALE Fellowship is a program of the Equity | Impact Center in collaboration with Limelight Creative and support from the Hillman Foundation.
Application
Applications for the second SCALE Fellowship Cohort will open December 17, 2021. Applications will close on January 8, 2022.