Elevating Black and Latinx educators within the music academy.

Program Description and History

CIM’s Future of Music Faculty Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind career development initiative for Black and Latinx music professionals considering and/or currently pursuing an academic career. Powered by the Sphinx Venture Fund, this competitive fellowship spotlights and prepares future faculty leaders for careers in the music academy so they can influence a new generation of musicians.

In June 2021, the first cohort of 35 fellows engaged in a powerful series of virtual convenings led by some of the most influential artists, academicians and thinkers of today including keynotes by internationally acclaimed musician, composer and educator Wynton Marsalis, resilience researcher Dr. Angela Duckworth, national leader in higher education Dr. Ronald Crutcher and leadership expert Simon Sinek.

In addition to these inspirational keynotes, the FMFF program faculty – including university presidents, music school deans and teaching artists from institutions ranging from The Juilliard School to the University of Richmond to the Heifetz Institute – blended a purposeful curriculum with practical advice, skill building, mentorship, and creativity. Through their participation in FMFF, fellows gained a competitive edge they could use as they enter and navigate the complex world of academia.

    Eligibility & Application Process

    Black and Latinx professional musicians who are considering and/or already pursuing careers in academia from across disciplines, genres, performance, and pedagogy are eligible and encouraged to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, performing musicians, graduate students, adjunct faculty, and junior faculty and scholars who have been in the academy for less than 3 years.

    Applications for the 2023 FMFF program are now closed.