Music Forward Foundation & Gibson Gives Announce 2024 LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award Recipients

The Music Forward Foundation has partnered with Gibson Gives to support the annual grant program, the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards, and announce this year’s winners.

The goal of the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards is to help break down the barriers of access in the music industry and promote a more inclusive music industry overall. The 10 2024 LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award recipients include Alessio Thorpe (Crimson Moon), Asália, Indigo Ansin (Chrysalis), Mel Fine, Molly Grace, Nai’a, Poet22, Sari Jordan, Shelby Ruger and Zellie.

Each recipient will receive a three-thousand-dollar grant, a thousand dollars in Gibson retail for an instrument, performance opportunities at the Gibson Garage Nashville and other venues, a career mentoring session with singer-songwriter and producer Butch Walker, and quarterly mentorship with the Gibson and Music Forward teams.

Gibson Gives will donate over $43,000 to the program this year, including $33,000 in cash grants and $10,000 in Gibson retail for an instrument. Music Forward develops and administers the grants from selection to distribution, and both teams develop and execute mentorship programs. The quarterly mentorship opportunities range from songwriting sessions with Gibson artists to exploring a variety of trending topics and skills, including Gibson and Live Nation leadership professionals sharing knowledge and insight, and learning from experts in the industry, from bands to boardrooms and everything in between.

“Gibson Gives is proud to partner with Music Forward to support the LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards,” says Erica Krusen, Global Executive Director, Gibson Gives. “We believe in the power of individual voices and strive to break down barriers, promoting a more inclusive music industry. These awards support often-marginalized artists, nurturing their growth and helping them achieve their greatest artistic potential.”

“At Music Forward, we work towards inspiring young artists and providing resources to drive their careers forward while making the industry more inclusive for all voices,” adds Nurit Siegel Smith, Executive Director, Music Forward Foundation. “The LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Awards is a staple of our programs, and we are excited for our partnership with Gibson Gives to continue to empower the next generation of LGBTQ+ musicians.”

Program participants and grant recipients include Phoebe Bridgers, Trombone Shorty and Andrae Alexander.