John Stites Jazz Awards (JSJA)
Beginning in 2024, the John Stites Jazz Artist Organization will only offer John Stites Artistic Development Awards. This will allow the JSJAO to focus on John’ primary objective – advancing the careers of innovative established and emerging jazz musicians who need funding to enhance their musicianship and broaden their career opportunities.
JSJA Artistic Development Awards will:
- Be awarded to individuals who pursue advanced studies such as:
- instrumental or vocal mentorships with well-known jazz musicians
- composition, arranging, and new influences on jazz music
- Range from $5,000 – $25,000 with no cash or in-kind match required
- Be awarded to US citizens or Resident Aliens (There are no other geographic restrictions.)
There will be 1 award cycle each year:
- February 15 through July 15, 2024 – Applications accepted
- July 15, 2024 through September 1, 2024 – Panel of professional jazz musicians review applications and recommend award recipients to the Board of Directors
- September 15, 2024 – Board of Directors inform award winners
- September 30, 2024 – Award recipients receive funding for use in 2024 or 2025
- October 1, 2024 – Award winners are announced on the JSJA website
Award winners must include the JSJA logo on their website or social media site(s) and/or acknowledge JSJA’s financial support in newsletters and/or press releases, marketing materials, programs, and media interviews. Assistance with media promotion and logo displays will be made available to the Award winners.
Who can apply?
- Emerging professional jazz musicians (or ensembles) who have completed two or more years of college-level experience in a music discipline or equivalent training. Note: These awards are generally taxable to the recipient, so the individual who submits the application will be responsible for paying any associated taxes and must provide a social security
number.
- Professional musicians with a minimum of two years of significant performance engagements
- Applicants may receive one JSJA every two years (e.g. a 2024 winner may apply for a 2026 award and a 2025 winner may apply for a 2027 award)
What expenses are covered?
- Fees for classes, workshops, clinics, scholarships, and competitions (except courses required to complete an undergraduate degree or graduate degree)
- Related expenses including required activities, books and supplies, travel, and housing
Ineligible Expenses
- Purchased equipment including instruments
- Recordings for commercial sale and/or performance tapes
Funding information (2024)
- Funds must be expended between September 2024 and November 30, 2025
- Awards less than $10,000:
- 85% of award issued in September 2024
- 15% issued after submission of final report – Final report deadline December 15, 2025.
- Awards $10,000 or more:
- 60% of award issued in September 2024
- 30% issued after submission of interim report – Deadline April 1, 2025
- 10% issued after submission of final report – Final report deadline December 15, 2025
- Final report must include summary of completed project activities, financial statement listing expenditures and examples of publicity materials from any concert or project event. Remaining funds are forfeited if final report is not submitted.
- Award winners are required to retain the following supporting documentation
- A list of dates and amounts of all grant payments received
- Documentation of all grant expenditures including paid invoices and receipts
- Payroll and tax withholding records, if applicable
How to apply
Apply online through a third-party application process by selecting the Artistic Development Award link below. The third-party application process is conducted through SmarterSelect to ensure confidentiality and impartiality in the process. You will receive an email and/or text acknowledgment from SmarterSelect that your application has been received.
Application forms for 2024 will be available February 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page or submit your question using the contact form.
Apply for a JSJA Artistic Development Award
