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.

Apply for a JSJA Artistic Development Award

• John Stites Jazz Awards are given for the Personal Development of the Applicant
• John Stites Jazz Awards cannot be used to fund Jazz Events such as concerts, tours, and competitions.

John Stites Jazz Artistic Development Awards

• Are for the purpose of advancing the careers of innovative emerging artists who want to make music their career and need funding to:
  * Enhance their musicianship
  * Broaden their career opportunities
• Range from $5,000 – $25,000 with no cash or in-kind match required

Who Can Apply for a JSJA Artistic Development Award?

• Individuals who:
  * Are emerging jazz artists who have completed two or more years of college-level experience in a music discipline or equivalent training who plan to make jazz
  music their career OR
  * Are emerging jazz artists with a minimum of two years of significant performance engagements who want to make jazz music their career
  • • Note: These awards are generally taxable to the recipient, so the applicant will be responsible for paying any associated taxes and must provide a social security number
    • Nationally known, established professional musicians are NOT eligible
• Are US citizens or have Resident Alien status
  • There are no other geographic restrictions
• Are pursuing advanced studies or training such as:
  • Mentorships/instruction from well-known jazz musicians or jazz composers
  • Studying composition, arranging, or new influences on jazz music
  • Studying jazz instrumentation unique to other cultures OR
  • Have developed a unique personal development project with defined goals and measurable outcomes
• 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)
• Award winners must:
  • include the JSJA logo on their website or social media site(s)
  • acknowledge JSJA’s financial support in newsletters and/or press releases, marketing materials, programs, and media interviews
  • Note: assistance with media promotion and logo displays will be made available
    to the award winners.

When Can I Apply and When Will I Know if I Won?

There will be 1 award cycle each year:

• February 15 through July 15, 2025 – Applications accepted
• July 15, 2025 through September 1, 2025 – Panel of professional jazz musicians review applications and recommend award recipients to the Board of Directors
• September 15, 2025 – Board of Directors inform award winners
• September 30, 2025 – Award recipients receive funding for use in 2025 or 2026
• October 1, 2025 – Award winners are announced on the JSJA website

What expenses are covered?

• Expenses associated with a course of study or instruction from a mentor, teacher, or expert jazz professional including tuition, housing, travel, lessons, rehearsal time, and living expenses while away from your personal residence
• Fees for classes, workshops, clinics, and competitions (except courses required to complete an undergraduate degree or graduate degree)
• Related expenses such as required activities, books and supplies
• Payments to other musicians who rehearse/perform with you:
  • As part of the composition or arrangement process
  • To evaluate the impact of unique instrumentation or the introduction of an atypical instrument
  • As part of a study/training program recommended by a teacher or mentor
• All reimbursable expenses should be linked to a defined personal development goal with a measurable outcome

What expenses are NOT ELIGIBLE for reimbursement?

• ALL expenses associated with presenting concerts and touring
• ALL expenses associated with making a recording or performance tape
  • Possible Exception: Expense of producing a personal tape (such as a YouTube video or phone recording) to share your work with other musicians or receive a critique from a teacher or mentor
• Salaries paid to oneself while completing your project
• Expenses incurred PRIOR to being awarded a JSJA contract
• Expense of hiring a publicist
• Cost of purchased equipment, including instruments

Why would my application be declared ineligible and NOT scored?

• You did not upload a Timeline file with project milestones and required completion dates
• You did not upload a Budget file with an expense breakdown
• You did not upload at least 1 Recommendation or Letter of Support from an industry professional who can attest to your musicianship and your ability to complete your project
• You did not upload a Performance tape or Performance file
• All required files must be easily accessible to the Review Committee and not password protected.
  • Make sure all links work and your files upload correctly
  • Be sure all files are accessible without special software, subscriptions, or apps.

Funding information (2025)

• Funds received prior to submitting your final report must be expended between September 2025 and November 30, 2026.  Final report must state how you will use the remaining award funds.
• Awards less than $10,000:
  • 85% of award issued in September 2025
  • 15% issued after submission of final report – Final report deadline December 15, 2026
• Awards $10,000 or more:
  • 60% of award issued in September 2025
  • 30% issued after submission of interim report – Deadline April 1, 2026
  • 10% issued after submission of final report – Final report deadline December 15, 2026
• Final report must include a summary of completed project activities, a financial statement listing expenditures, and examples of publicity materials from project events.  The financial statement should include the expenses that will be covered by your final award check.  Remaining funds are forfeited if the 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 Do I Apply?

Apply online by selecting the Artistic Development Award link below.  The application process is conducted through SmarterSelect, a third-party site, to ensure confidentiality and impartiality. After you submit your application, you will receive an email and/or text from SmarterSelect acknowledging that it was received.

Application forms for 2025 will be available on 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 HERE

Note: You MUST answer the prequalifying questions correctly to access the application form.