Ben Folds announces seven North Carolina nonprofit partners for “Keys For Kids”
| North Carolina native Ben Folds, who recently launched “Keys For Kids” to provide school-age youth with access to piano keyboards and music lessons at little or no cost, has announced that seven nonprofits in his home state have been selected as partners for the first year of his new initiative. The seven organizations were selected in cooperation with the North Carolina Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Foundation, which is helping Folds administer his initiative. As “Keys For Kids” partners, they will receive financial grants for additional resources to incorporate into their existing music education outreach programs. “The goal of ‘Keys For Kids’ is to support nonprofits from across North Carolina that are providing music education opportunities to young people from economically disadvantaged households,” said Folds. “I see my role as an advocate for these existing organizations, raising awareness for what they do, and providing them with additional resources to support their mission.” The seven nonprofits are the first in the state to become partners in “Keys For Kids.” They will work closely with Folds, the Arts Council, and Arts Foundation over the coming months to help build the most effective, sustainable model for reaching young people throughout North Carolina who are interested in learning how to play piano. The seven nonprofits are: Arts+ Authoring Action Kidznotes Kinston Community Council for the Arts McDowell Arts Council Association Musical Empowerment Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge Gallery In the coming years, Folds intends to expand his initiative to include other nonprofits that are also involved in music education outreach. “This first year will be crucial in helping us better understand both the need and how best to address it through this kind of public-private partnership,” said Folds. 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.” “Keys for Kids enables talented young people to grow as musicians and, as important, develop the confidence they need to be successful in life. We salute Ben Folds for creating an arts education project that helps meet our aspirational goal of ‘arts for all people,’” said Wayne Martin, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Foundation. Folds is planning a series of fundraising opportunities in the coming months to support “Keys For Kids,” and is encouraging others who believe in the mission to contribute 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 |
