Miami Music Project Earns Global Distinction as Winner of the 2024 Music Cities Awards
Miami Music Project was awarded a global 2024 Music Cities Award in the category “Best Initiative to Support Diversity & Inclusion in Music.” Miami Music Project President and CEO Anna Klimala personally accepted the award at the Music Cities Awards Ceremony on December 8th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the opening night of the Riyadh Music Cities Convention. This award represents global recognition of Miami Music Project’s extraordinary 16-year journey of transforming the lives of thousands of youth, promoting social change through music, and cultivating the necessary skills to contribute to Miami’s development at a regional scale.
The Music Cities Awards is a global competition designed to acknowledge and reward the most outstanding applications of music for economic, social, environmental, and cultural development in cities and places worldwide. Miami Music Project was selected among 300 candidates from 19 countries and six continents, seeking recognition as the most consolidated global platform that rewards individuals and organizations using the power of music for social impact. In the words of President and CEO Anna Klimala:
“This award is a testament to the impact and the power of collective action. It is a recognition of the role of music in building a brighter, more inclusive future for our youth and our community. This award is an incredible honor not only for Miami Music Project, but equally for our city and its youth. Through music education we are nurturing a future workforce which will not only meet the challenges of Miami’s growth but also inspire and lead our community.”.
Miami is growing in a truly unique way—much like Riyadh, and is currently one of the fastest-growing job markets in the US. With this growth comes the responsibility to prepare the next generation to lead with an achievement mindset. Miami Music Project believes music is a powerful instrument of transformation. Music instills confidence, discipline, and the essential skills children need to succeed in life.
Miami Music Project’s extraordinary 16-year journey stands as a beacon of transformation, touching the lives of thousands of children and instilling a lifelong passion for music. This year marks a new milestone in its mission to uplift the Miami-Dade community with the inauguration of its Homestead Chapter. Building on its long-standing partnerships with seven partner public schools in Miami Gardens, Little Haiti, Liberty City, Miami Springs, Miami Beach, Little Havana, and Homestead, the intensive after-school program will reach over 1,000 students this year alone. The program is offered three hours a day, five days a week, providing free busing, homework help, snacks and over 30 performance opportunities annually.
In the last four years, Miami Music Project has deepened its commitment to fostering nationwide democratic access to music education by launching the Teaching Artists Training Institute (TATI), an innovative national program that leverages the advancement of music education by serving Teaching Artists, offering accessible training and furthering education opportunities. To date, TATI has engaged over 400 diverse Teaching Artists nationally, subsequently supporting 30,000 youth from underrepresented communities across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, Miami Music Project sustains an international alliance with Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra.
The Music Cities Awards selection process was led by a high-level global jury of 10 music industry experts and creatives who work at the forefront of music and city development from around the world, including Hong Kong, UK, Argentina, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, and USA.
Miami Music Project President and CEO Anna Klimala poses with the Music Cities Award, representing “Best Initiative to Support Diversity & Inclusion in Music” at the 2024 Music Cities Awards stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Eleven music initiative leaders from eight countries received awards in the categories ranging from of “Best Global Music City,”, to “Best Music Tourism Initiative,” “Best Initiative Using Music To Support Environmental Sustainability,” and “Best Use of Music In Real Estate or City Planning.”
