Since 2014, Pathways To Jazz has awarded grants to jazz musicians to create new, recorded works. A high-quality recording is not only a way to document and preserve jazz but also an essential tool for artists to book gigs, develop and connect with new audiences and grow their careers. Since its inception, Pathways To Jazz has awarded grants to 131 artists, recognizing the immense value of recorded music in shaping artistic journeys.
The opportunity to apply for the grant is open to artists of all ages and stages of their musical development. The grant is used to produce a professional recording for commercial distribution and self-promotion.
If you wish to apply, please thoroughly read the following to avoid disqualification:
As an artist, you need the capability to produce a studio-quality recording, have a strong artistic track record, and demonstrate that you would clearly benefit from producing a recording. You should understand who your target audience is and know how the recording will be used and how you will develop your audience.
Artists who have never been funded directly or indirectly by Pathways To Jazz will be considered first. Previous grant recipients cannot apply within five consecutive years of their funding year.
Emerging and established artists are eligible and recorded works can be original or the works of other, contemporary composers. The creative control of the recording remains with the artist.
If you are awarded the grant, the expectation is that you will create a physical CD or LP. You may request consideration for an exception to this rule within your grant application, but not after the grant has been awarded. If you make this request in your application, please explain why you would like an exception to be made.
For the grant application, you will provide:
All recordings must be completed by December 31, 2027.
You must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), in English, for consideration. The LOI is an online form that is completed on the Boulder County Arts Alliance (BCAA) website www.bouldercountyarts.org.
Letters of intent will be accepted on May 1, 2026, between 5:00am-5:00pm MDT (UTC-6).
No letters will be accepted outside of the BCAA application form. No late submissions will be accepted. We recommend you set up your BCAA login prior to May 1.
Draft your answers to the questions below that will be on the form. (Please note word count limits.) You may delete the question within the form field when applicable, so that the words in the questions do not add into your total word count.
You will be notified in June if you have or have not been selected to apply for the grant. Please do not inquire about your status prior to July 31. Selected applicants will be given instruction and timeline for completing the full grant application, which will also be done through the Boulder County Arts Alliance website.
The following notes are for the grant application and information on the awarding process:
The budget form within the online application is fixed, but you may want to provide more detail. You are encouraged to elaborate on your budget in the text section of the grant application. (There is a word limit within the text section; however, you may delete the question and number it to increase your word allotment.) You may also attach a more detailed budget breakdown in the attachment section. If you do, please note that in your “other” text section and label your document “budget”. You are highly encouraged to submit a budget attachment and/or to provide additional detail. In-kind expenses are those expenses for which you would have paid, but have received them for free or “in-kind”. For example, if an artist donated their design to you for your cover art you can note the value in the “in-kind” section.
Please note that Pathways To Jazz does not fund food, travel, equipment or transportation.
Music samples are required and should be one-click access. The review panel should not need a subscription or a log in and password to listen to your music samples. Examples of platforms that are NOT acceptable: Dropbox (unless your link can be accessed without an account), Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music or any streaming service requiring an account, login or password. Examples of acceptable platforms are: YouTube, your personal website, linked MP3s within the application.
If the grant panel cannot easily access your music samples, your grant will be disqualified.
You can upload a document that contains your links in the uploads section if desired or you can put the links in the grant text or provide an attachment with clickable links. See FAQ for further information.
If you are awarded a grant you are required to acknowledge Pathways To Jazz in any promotion related to the recording and you will be provided with our logo to include on your CD/LP jacket along with specific language that acknowledges Pathways To Jazz and our fiscal sponsor, the Boulder County Arts Alliance (U.S. recipients) or Music For Love (Italian recipients).
Pathways To Jazz wants to be confident that you understand who your target audience is and how you will market the recording. You should have a clear understanding of what you will gain from the recording, specifically how you will reach your audience and how you will help to further the objectives of Pathways To Jazz.
Selection and funding decisions will be made by a panel. The following criteria will be applied in evaluating grant proposals:
Q. How can I best prepare to submit my letter?
A. Because the application is open on May 1 only between 5:00am-5:00pm MDT, it is advisable to create your BCAA login and password in advance and locate where the application is on the website. The questions for the letter are stated above and you can prepare your text in advance and copy it into the form when the process opens. It is recommended that you plan to submit your letter at the beginning of the acceptance period to allow for technical troubleshooting should the need arise.
Q. What are the funding amounts and limits for a recording project?
A. Historically, grants have ranged from $1,000-$5,000. When applying for any amount, please answer the question of how you will proceed with your project if you are not funded the amount you request. You may also answer an optional question about how receiving more than what you’ve requested would impact your project.
Q. How do I submit samples of my work?
A. It is essential that the grant panel can listen to your work, whether that is past projects, or the music for the recording you would like to make. Please make it easy to find and listen to your samples. Provide mp3s or direct links. Do not provide a link to any program or platform that will require a panel member to download a program, create a login, or need an account or a password. You may upload MP3s, link to your website and suggest specific tracks, provide links to YouTube, upload a document as an attachment that contains clickable links and information, etc. Make it as easy as possible for the panel to listen to your music and the specific tracks you want to highlight. If the panel cannot easily locate and listen to your music, you may be disqualified from receiving a grant. Music samples that provide a sense of what you’d like to record on your new album are particularly encouraged.
Q. Can I record my album in my home studio?
A. The purpose of the grant is to fund a professional, high-quality recording. You are discouraged from applying for a home studio recording. The Pathways To Jazz recording grant may not be used to purchase equipment for a home studio or otherwise.
Q. What is excluded from funding?
A. Travel, food, equipment, and transportation expenses will not be supported by this grant. Including these expenses in your budget may result in disqualification.
Q. Can I apply for more funding if I have been previously funded by Pathways To Jazz?
A. Previous grant recipients cannot apply within five consecutive years of their funding year. Applicants who have never received a recording grant will be considered first.
Q. When will I know if I am selected?
A. Decisions will be made, and all applicants will be notified in September. Please do not make inquiries. You will be notified if you are or are not receiving the grant.
Q. I have more questions – who should I ask?
A. Please contact info@bouldercountyarts.org or info@pathwaystojazz.com. Find past winners at www.pathwaystojazz.com
Boulder County Arts Alliance
2400 28th St. #103
Boulder, CO 80301
