The Recording Academy, the organisation behind the GRAMMY Awards, is taking significant steps to support music creators globally. The Academy has formed agreements with Ministries of Culture and key stakeholders in the Middle East and Africa to enhance its presence and services in these rapidly expanding music regions.
"This is exciting because music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. "It is critical that the people who dedicate themselves to creating music have support, resources, and opportunities, no matter where they are from."
Over the past two years, the Academy’s leaders have traveled throughout these regions, participating in listening sessions, receiving high-level briefings, and gaining insights directly from governmental ministries and music creators driving innovation in these markets.
The Academy is collaborating with the Ministries of Culture in Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria, the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, the Rwanda Development Board, and the Ministry of Sports, Arts, and Culture in South Africa. Additionally, MOUs have been signed with Ghana and the Ivory Coast. These collaborations aim to:
- Champion music creators at all levels, providing them with a platform and advocacy.
- Empower creators through enhanced training via GRAMMY GO™, the Academy’s online learning platform, offering educational programs tailored to the needs of music creators in these regions.
- Produce original content celebrating the rich musical heritage and dynamic emerging scenes of Africa and the Middle East.
- Enhance support for existing members, benefiting all music creators through cross-cultural learnings and a presence in these growing music regions.
- Advocate for strong Intellectual Property (IP) legislation and protections for music creators.
- Fuel the music economy by working with partners to develop and strengthen the creative economy in Africa and the Middle East.
As part of this initiative, the Academy will publish a series of reports highlighting its research and insights into these music markets.
"The Recording Academy is dedicated to supporting music creators around the world," said Panos A. Panay, Recording Academy President. "Our expansion into these fast-growing regions reflects our commitment to fostering a truly global music community, where creators at every stage of their careers and from every corner of the world have the resources and support they need to thrive."
This exploration into the Middle East and Africa marks the first phase of the Academy's plans to support music creators abroad, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards® and the first GRAMMY Awards show held overseas in Seville. Last year, the Recording Academy also partnered with the U.S. State Department on an initiative to promote peace through music.