Take Your Outreach to the Next Level

Are you interested in taking your arts leadership to the next level?  Here you can learn about the types of projects you can do and see examples of what From the Top alumni have done in the past. 

1. Create your own Arts Leadership project to give back to your community.  You have the power to make a difference in people's lives by sharing your talent, creativity, and passion. Check out Anna DeLoi's inspiring summer plans here!

Not sure where to start? Check out some of the stories and resources below.  Then get in touch with us to brainstorm ideas and make a plan. Contact Serena Rwejuna at srwejuna@fromthetop.org.

Past Alum Projects Have Included:

• Interactive community performances: retirement homes, hospitals, & schools
• Benefit concerts to support a cause: Thomas Burrill & Linda Xiong, Rieko Tsuchida, Caeli Smith, Patrick McGuire
• Private & group lessons for kids: Chaz Salazar, Hayley Graham, Griffin Gaffney
• Arts Advocacy projects: John Wen's letter campaign, Ansel Norris' school board address, Jingxuang Zhang's letter to the governor

2. Already have a project going? Tell us what you're up to and we'll share it on the From the Top Green Room blog and in our Arts Leadership materials to inspire other young musicians! Here's a helpful PR document to help you spread the word about your project. Send your stories and updates to Serena Rwejuna at srwejuna@fromthetop.org.

3. Some Helpful Online Resources:

Organization: Do Something

This site uses the power of online to get teens to do good stuff over the Internet.  Explore different causes and find the one that inspires you!  Explore their list of "Action Guides" and find the project that's right for you. You can search by cause, location and duration. Stay current with the latest news in social activism and go through their online "Action Training." Go here to read a short "Background on Arts in Education"

Organization: VH1 Save the Music Foundation

Tell your parents to check out this site to support and restore instrumental music programs in schools across the country. They have a great parent and teacher advocacy kit.

Organization: MENC

The National Association for Music Education is one of the largest music education organizations in the world. Go to their "3 Ways to Change Music Education" page and sign the petition for equal access to Music Education. Music Advocacy made easy! Get your friends to sign the petition by posting a link on your Facebook page.

Organization: SupportMusic

Go here to take action immediately! This site combines the efforts of NAMM and MENC to bring you the most effective tools for Music Advocacy. Click on "Action Alerts" and tell your members of Congress to support the Arts. 

Organization: Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America.  They are dedicated to serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.

Organization: The Point

The Point is an online forum for organizing people and raising money.  Create a Campaign Profile and allow people to pledge to your cause.  No action is taken until certain conditions are met.  They take a 5% commission, so be sure to read the FAQs!

For example, Patrick McGuire created a Campaign Profile to raise money for the Arusha Arts Initiative, and he reached his goal!  Read more about his project here.