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INNOVA RECORDINGS FALL NATIONAL CALL
Innova Recordings serves artists in the entire creative process of making recordings. Wherever artists may be in that process, this program provides them with support and guidance. We require no application fee nor, if selected, an administrative fee for projects to be produced by innova.
We seek to foster an artist-centric cooperative model where both label and artist work closely to achieve the artist’s goals. We seek to support artists in their creative process as well as promoting their project. We facilitate a support network of selected artists to provide guidance and feedback to each other throughout the process. We are a collective of open-minded listeners who welcome all kinds of musical expression.
We are grateful for our partnership with the Elizabeth and Michel Sorel Charitable Organization, whose mission is to expand opportunities and stretch the boundaries for women. Their generous funding will help us lift up artists who have been historically marginalized in the recording industry.
In addition to the support from ACF’s annual fund, innova Recordings receives endowed support from The McKnight Foundation.
For more information about ACF’s equity commitment, please read ACF’s Statement of Commitment to Equity
WHAT WE OFFER AT NO COST TO THE ARTIST
the following services are provided free to label artists
100% SALES AND RIGHTS STAY WITH YOU. ALWAYS.
You own what you make. You keep 100% of the sales profits.
DISTRIBUTION TO DIGITAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
Your music worldwide, on all streaming services and available for download. Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Youtube, etc. via Naxos Distribution
SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION
We’ll work with you to get the word out about your project on our social media as well as guide you in promoting yourself on social media and beyond.
LICENSING
In addition to you keeping the rights and income, we’ll help negotiate licensing opportunities when they come through our door to put your music in Film, TV, and Commercials. Artists receive an upfront equitable cut of the licensing fee and keep the intellectual property going forward.
ARTIST COHORT
We facilitate conversations between our selected artists to form a supportive community to guide each other through the process.
NATIONAL NETWORK OF SERVICES AVAILABLE
We can connect you with the following available services at a reduced cost as part of our national network of connections and resources:
RECORDING STUDIO TIME
Connect you with recording studios to offer recording space and expertise.
POST PRODUCTION
We can assist you in finding engineers who can provide mixing and mastering assistance.
PR AND MARKETING
Engage PR professionals who can provide long-term traditional marketing campaigns
DESIGNERS
Everything from cover art design to multimedia content. Through our network we can connect you with designers to supply complimentary art to your project.
PHYSICAL MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION
We offer assistance in getting CDs and Vinyl manufactured at discounted rates and distributed to physical retail
ELIGIBILITY
American Composers Forum encourages applicants of all racial and gender identities to apply. We will be holding space for women artists to be funded through the Sorel Organization. We invite artists from a full range of musical approaches and are committed to supporting a diverse pool of artists creating music today. For more information about ACF’s equity commitment, please read ACF’s Statement of Commitment to Equity.
This opportunity is for U.S.-based artists, including composers, creators, and performers (as individuals or groups).
HOW TO APPLY
Whether you have a fully finished album or even demo tracks [APPLY HERE] and tell us about your music. The application portal will be open September 25 and will close on November 17, 2023 at midnight.
Information Sessions
ACF staff will offer two 60-minute Innova National Call Application Information Sessions online to go over the application process. Throughout these sessions there will be time to ask questions regarding the application process and its various components.
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These sessions will be offered online via Zoom. You must register to receive the link.
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We will record the sessions and post them to our Youtube channel the following week.
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Video tutorials on how to use the Zoom online meeting system can be found HERE.
Session 1: Tuesday, October 10th - 10:00-11:00 AM Central Time
Topic: We will review all guidelines and walk through the application process.
Register HERE
Session 2: Thursday, October 12th - 3:00-4:00 PM Central Time
Topic: We will examine of previous awardees' successful applications as case studies
Register HERE
Questions?
The American Composers Forum encourages applicants to contact ACF staff to ask questions and discuss potential applications. For questions regarding the Innova National Call program, contact Tim Igel, Manager of Recordings, at tigel@composersforum.org
PANEL OF CURATORS TO BE ANNOUNCED
SOREL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
The Elizabeth & Michel Sorel Charitable Organization Inc. is a 501©(3) private foundation, established in 1996 by pianist Claudette Sorel and named for her parents. The mission of The Sorel Organization (www.SorelMusic.org) is to expand opportunities and stretch the boundaries for women musicians in the fields of conducting, composition, film scoring, performance, arts leadership, education, and scholarship.