Music Doing Good, Inc. is a 2012 recipient of an unrestricted grant from Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA). The award is the result of an application to the Arts Respond Project, which provides grants to bring art and cultural programs and events to communities. This is the first grant awarded to Music Doing Good by TCA.

The grant will partially fund Music Doing Good in Schools (MDGiS), an after-school, musical arts enrichment program for at-risk, underserved youth ages 7-18 who want to enhance their musical and performance skills. Students attend weekly master classes and after-school sessions where they learn a specific genre of music over two semesters. This year, the program will teach the cultural, creative and literary aspects of Hip-Hop music, while exploring performance techniques and character development. Music Doing Good is Schools culminates in a student-driven, theatrical production in a professional venue (The Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall).

The program focuses on the personal strengths of each child, increasing their learning and artistic potential. Benefits to participants include development of problem-solving and leadership skills, nurturing of self confidence and self-expression and providing children a healthy after-school activity. Mentors also encourage the students to explore careers that contribute to the creative economy.

The program is led by Aisha Ussery Adams and Phillip Hall, whose combined experience in teaching fine arts classes in the Houston Independent School District totals nearly 30 years. “As we embark on the second year of Music Doing Good in Schools, it is so encouraging to be recognized by such an esteemed organization as the Texas Commission on the Arts. The grant will give these underserved and at-risk kids a chance to shine, while teaching them valuable life skills…all while having a great time!” remarks program director, Aisha Ussery Adams.

The mission of the Texas Commission on the Arts is to advance our state economically and culturally by investing in a creative Texas. TCA supports a diverse and innovative arts community in Texas, throughout the nation and internationally by providing resources to enhance economic development, arts education, cultural tourism and artist sustainability initiatives.

Music Doing Good, Inc. is a 501(c)3 performing arts organization whose mission is to engage, educate and enrich the community through innovative music-based programming to promote positive social change. The organization seeks to be a stimulating force in the creative economy, building a brighter and more broad-minded community while striving to create a world where we all live in concert.

For more information about Music Doing Good in Schools, please visit www.MusicDoingGood.org or call 713.294.9034.