2023 Applications open February 15
Honoring the memory of John Stites and his passion for jazz music
Honoring the memory of John Stites and his passion for jazz music
Please refer to the Awards page. Key dates are listed in the Timelines and Deadlines section. Award winners are notified by both email and “snail” mail and must sign the contract attached to the award notice before receiving any funds. Those who do not win will also receive an email notification and are encouraged to reapply during the next awards cycle. Descriptions of the winning projects are posted on the website a few weeks after the winners are announced.
Non-US Citizens with Resident Alien status can apply for awards and will need to add their social security number to the application form. Applicants without Resident Alien status are ineligible.
Individual award winners (US Citizens and Resident Aliens) will receive a 1099.
Note: Group/Ensemble award winners will need to provide an EIN or TIN for their organization and specify their nonprofit status before receiving funds.
60% of the total points awarded for Jazz Event applications are awarded with regard to the ability of the project/event to expand the audience for jazz and/or increase the appreciation for jazz. 40% of the points are awarded for the likelihood that the project/event will be successfully executed (realistic timeline and budget, statements of support from others involved in the financial or logistical aspects of the project).
If you have a good project with a well thought out execution plan that involves paying yourself and your group members, you should apply. However, the majority of the points are awarded based on the likelihood that the project/event will expand the audience/appreciation of jazz. So a free or reduced cost event that does not appeal to a wide audience may not receive a high score.
See answer for question 4 which outlines the scoring rationale and explains that the ability of the project/event to expand the audience for jazz and/or increase the appreciation for jazz is the primary criterion.
While the primary purpose of these awards is not to pay touring costs, if you believe you have a project/event that will expand the audience for jazz and/or increase the appreciation for jazz and touring costs are a necessary part of accomplishing your objectives, you should apply. But if your only goal is to reduce your performance costs, it may be difficult to show how that will promote an expanded interest in jazz.
This answer is similar to the answers to questions 4 and 5. The Artistic Development award was conceived as a way to help aspiring musicians pay for advanced studies with professional musicians, composers, arrangers, etc. who would help the musician develop the skills to ensure a successful professional career. The highest scoring applicants typically create a development plan that positions them to make a unique contribution to the industry.
While hiring a publicist could be a part of such a plan, the focus and the majority of the expenditures should be on how the individual plans to enhance their own skill set rather than depend on the skills of a publicist.
There are no geographic restrictions on applicants applying for Artistic Development Awards.
Beginning with the 2023 Award Cycles, you do not need to live in the Midwest to apply for a Jazz Events award. However, the event(s) you plan to promote or sponsor must take place in the Midwest and the majority of the events must take place in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana or Ohio.
You can apply for a Jazz Events award for any event/competition/program that is exclusively intended to promote interest in jazz and expand the audience for jazz. If your organization sponsors a variety of musical genres, you cannot use the money you receive from JSJA to fund these other events/projects/competitions.
Points are awarded in each section. You can determine the possible number of points for each section by “hovering” over the answer box. If you choose to leave a section blank, you will lose all the points for that section. Be sure you provide a timeline, budget, budget explanation, and supplementary documents to obtain all the possible points. Several of these questions can best be answered by uploading a pdf file.
Most applicants choose to upload at least one personal reference from someone who can attest to their musical knowledge and/or musical performance experience. Many applicants upload a reference from a collaborating musician or someone who will be assisting in the performance or project (such as the venue director, your prospective teacher, a commercial or nonprofit entity providing financial or in-kind support for the project or performance, etc.)
Applicants applying for an Artistic Development award are encouraged to provide a reference from a previous teacher or mentor, as well as a personal performance tape. Generic documents such as online biographies, links to websites, and publicity downloads are less effective than references from individuals and organizations that can write a personal reference stating why you should receive an award to pursue your project or course of study.
Yes, you can reapply and we encourage you to do so. The JSJA recommends that you print a copy of your completed application, so that you will have it available to reference if you decide to reapply.
The links for each award cycle are posted about two weeks before the Award Cycle opens (see Timelines and Deadlines section of the Awards page on our website for the most up-to-date information).
This world needs more of him, not less.
Ray Kamalay
The John Stites Jazz Awards (JSJA) are funded by the John Stites Jazz Artist Organization, honoring the memory of John Stites and his passion for jazz music.
The organization funds: