Ben Folds launches “Keys For Kids” initiative

Comment Off 89 Views
BEN FOLDS PARTNERS WITH

THE NORTH CAROLINA ARTS FOUNDATION & NORTH CAROLINA ARTS COUNCIL

TO LAUNCH “KEYS FOR KIDS” INITIATIVE

INITIATIVE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IN NORTH CAROLINA GET ACCESS TO

KEYBOARDS & MUSIC LESSONS

Ben Folds 2021 US Tour Photo.jpg
North Carolina native Ben Folds is launching a new charitable initiative called “Keys For Kids” to help support existing programs in his home state that are working to provide school-age youth with access to keyboards and proper music lessons at little or no cost.

WATCH INTERVIEW WITH BEN FOLDS DISCUSSING "KEYS FOR KIDS"

“Keys For Kids” is being launched in a unique partnership with the North Carolina Arts Foundation and the North Carolina Arts Council to ensure the broadest possible impact across all corners of the state.

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Folds credits early exposure to music as a child as the impetus and inspiration for his own creative journey as a professional music artist.

“I realize that most kids aren’t as lucky as I was to be exposed to a quality music education,” said Folds. That’s why I want to do what I can to help give all young people who have an interest in learning how to play the piano a chance to have the same opportunities I was afforded.”

Through the partnership with the Arts Foundation and Arts Council, “Keys For Kids” will support a network of existing charitable organizations whose missions align with the goals of the initiative. Non-profit organizations with a track record of providing free or subsidized music education instruction for school-age youth may apply to the NC Arts Council for consideration as a “Keys For Kids” participant. Selected organizations will receive a grant that supports piano lessons as well as access to high-quality keyboards.

“Ben Folds’s stellar career as a performer, his passion for music education, and a desire to reach young people beautifully complement our foundation’s priorities and goals. ‘Keys For Kids’ is also a powerful example of how the foundation collaborates with the private sector in innovative ways to fund arts programs that reach across our state,” said Wayne Martin, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Foundation.

Folds is providing initial seed funds and is also planning a series of fundraising opportunities in the months to support “Keys For Kids,” and is encouraging others who believe in the mission to contribute as well.

“Governor Cooper and I have always been strong advocates for the arts,” said North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper. “As parents of three artistic children, we have seen firsthand the impact that having access to quality arts education in schools and in the community has been for them. We want every child in North Carolina to have that same access.

“That’s why we support Ben Folds’s initiative ‘Keys For Kids,’ along with the North Carolina Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Foundation,” Mrs. Cooper added. “We urge you all to support them as well.”

All donations to the “Keys For Kids” initiative – financial and in-kind – will be tax-deductible. To make a financial or in-kind donation to “Keys For Kids” go to www.benfolds.com/keysforkids.

# # #

About Ben Folds:

Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation. He’s created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. For over a decade he’s performed with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras and currently serves as the first-ever Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

Folds released his first book – a collection of interrelated essays, anecdotes, and lessons about art, life, and music – in 2019, which debuted as a New York Times Best Seller, and he hosted a podcast series spinoff of his book entitled “Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds.” In addition to solo rock and orchestral touring, he’s also developing a new unscripted TV series with Fred Rogers Productions, continues to appear in various film/tv guest-starring roles, and is working on two new albums.

An outspoken champion for arts education and music therapy funding in our nation’s public schools has served for over five years as an active member of the distinguished Artist Committee of Americans For The Arts (AFTA), and serves on the Board of AFTA’s Arts Action Fund.

CONNECT WITH BEN FOLDS:

Bands In Town | Facebook | Instagram | Patreon | Twitter

# # #

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
In : Newswire

About the author

Editor of Don411.com Media website.
Free Newsletter Updated Daily