Our goal is to showcase the breadth and depth of Black artistry in our area. Creatives working in any medium are encouraged to submit their ideas. This may include but is not limited to:

• alternative audio (podcast, spoken word)

• cinematic art

• decorative arts (enamelwork, mosaic)

• music (as composition)

• performing arts (theatre, dance, music)

• photography

• sculpture

• textile or fabric art

• written (poetry, drama, story)

• visual or graphic arts created in physical or digital format (painting, drawing, illustration, mural)

Any genre that connects to Philadelphia’s Black music history.

You will be expected to check in periodically with the project coordinators about your progress and to participate in check-in videos that will be shown publicly on partner websites and social media channels. Your project must be completed and ready to be shared publicly by May 31, 2023. You will also be involved in the final project showcase in June 2023.

No, we only award one grant per project. Each project is eligible for a single grant to ensure fair distribution and maximize the impact of our support.

Grant awards are $1,500 -$5,000 based on a review of the justification provided with the application.

You may use the money in any way that is needed. Keep in mind that you’ll need to provide a breakdown of estimated costs with your application.

50% of the grant money will be provided to start the project. The remaining funds will be distributed at the conclusion of the project.

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and complete the application form. All project descriptions will be reviewed and rated according to the following criteria:

• Storytelling & Theme: the project will tell a clear, significant & relevant story that fits the theme of this program

• Creativity: the project will be produced in a unique, innovative style

• Personal Opinion: the selector really enjoys the concept/idea of the project submission

• Past Work/Resume: the applicant’s past work proves they can accomplish their vision

Applicants must be:

• African American/Black

• 18 Years or older

• Residing or working in the Greater Philadelphia area: PA, NJ, DE

• Able to complete the work by May 31, 2023

• Available periodically from February through May for recorded check-ins with the BMC team

• Available to participate in the concluding event in June 2023

No – only one application per individual.

Yes! The Selected Artists from last year's project are eligible to apply and win this year.

Black Music City sponsorships are available and include on-air opportunities on public radio stations WXPN and WRTI as well as other project assets. A portion of sponsorship dollars are used to help fund the grants.

If you are interested in sponsoring Black Music City, please contact support@recphilly.com.

Black Music City is a collaboration between WXPN, the non-commercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, WRTI, the non-commercial music radio service of Temple University and REC Philly, A Place for Creators.

If you are selected to receive a financial award and to create an original work of art, music, and/or other copyrightable creative work of authorship (the “Creative Work”), you will retain ownership of your Creative Work and all copyright(s), moral rights, and other intellectual property rights in and to your Creative Work. However, by submitting this application, in consideration for your selection as a Black Music City Artist, the publicity and other benefits that may inure to you as a result of your selection, and the financial award you will receive to create the Creative Work, you hereby irrevocably grant to each of The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, owner and operator of WXPN-FM (“WXPN”), Temple University, owner and operator of WRTI-FM (“WRTI”), and REC Philly LLC (“REC Philly”), jointly and severally:

• 1) for a period ending on [December 31, 2023] , an exclusive, royalty-free, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide right and license (with the right to sublicense to third persons), to reproduce in print, film, video, sound, broadcast, cable, satellite, electronic and digital media, and all other mediums now known or hereafter created, prepare derivative works from, publicly distribute, publicly display, and publicly perform (including but not limited to publicly perform via digital audio transmission), the Creative Work, for any purpose;

• 2) beginning [January 1, 2024] , a nonexclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide right and license (with the right to sublicense to third persons), to reproduce in print, film, video, sound, broadcast, cable, satellite, electronic and digital media, and all other mediums now known or hereafter created, and create derivative works from, the Creative Work, for any purpose;

• 3) beginning on the date you submit this application, a nonexclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide right and license (with the right to sublicense to third persons), to use your name, likeness, voice, biographic information, photograph and image, and any photograph and image of the Creative Work, to advertise, market, publicize, and otherwise promote the Black Music City competition, awards, events, winners, applicants, activities, funders, and supporters, including but not limited to WXPN, WRTI, and REC Philly.

The rights granted to WXPN, WRTI, and REC Philly do not include any right to sell or loan your Creative Work, and you retain all of your rights as the owner to sell or loan the Creative Work to collectors, exhibitors, patrons of the arts, museums or other third persons, and/or to distribute, display and/or perform the Creative Work, beginning [January 1, 2024.] You also retain all of your moral rights under U.S. copyright law (if any), in and to the Creative Work. WXPN, WRTI, & REC Philly reserve the right to feature the final projects on the Black Music City website.

The rights granted to WXPN, WRTI and REC Philly may be transferred or assigned by any one or all of them to a third person.

Please email support@recphilly.com with any questions about this project.

To see past year's projects click here: 2022 Grantees | 2021 Grantees