Future Music Project
Carnegie Hall’s Future Music Project harnesses the transformative power of music to nurture the creativity of more than 300 young people ages 14–19 incarcerated in New York City. In partnership with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services, Future Music Project offers incarcerated young people a creative space to learn, express themselves, and imagine new futures. Through workshops, field trips, and live performances, Future Music Project provides a unique platform for exploring music’s many facets—from honing skills in songwriting and performance to discovering career pathways in the music industry.
Celebratory showcases are presented at Carnegie Hall twice each season, where young people perform their original music for an audience of peers, staff, and family members. Future Music Project is a vital part of the effort to break the cycle of incarceration and create a more equitable future for young people in New York City.
Jump to section:
“I have been with the program for five and a half months. Before it took me a long time to write a song, I got better at writing under pressure, and I feel more confident. I write a lot of new stuff here. During one workshop, the way we were able to take our pain and put it into a song that sounds fire was good… That helps you. It’s a good coping skill. Some people get mad and frustrated and then go do something they’re not supposed to, this is a way to express yourself without getting in trouble. This might actually take you somewhere.
Learn More
