Why support Next Fest?
Because the need is great
"It is twice as hard to get into an orchestra than to get onto a major league baseball team." Guest artist Alecia Lawyer notes the uphill battle musicians are facing, and how Next Fest offers a "360° view" that enables artists to thrive in this competitive landscape.
Because of how much we offer
Next Fest is a rural residency, New York performance tour, groundbreaking cross-disciplinary workshop — and much more.
Because everyone wins
Your donation expands portfolios for emerging artists, delivers commissions to established artists, and offers donation-based performances to audiences.
Because of who we are
Your contribution helps us lift up diverse voices. More than 75% of the works presented this year were by artists of color, female-identifying artists, or both.
Because it's tax deductible
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so your donation is completely deductible.
Because we care
Since 2013, we've had hundreds of Fellows participate at a price they name. We are fiercely committed to young artists and to our signature, equity-based "pay-what-you-can" policy. While the "big" summer festivals can charge more than $12K per participant, our Fellows pay only what they can afford — often a few hundred dollars at most. This is thanks to the generosity of tax-deductible gifts from donors like you.
Fellow Spotlights
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
We greatly appreciate the support of our donors, who have helped us to connect artists and audiences, and to provide ongoing career guidance and resources to emerging artists. We are committed to making the Festival available to young artists, regardless of financial circumstances.
FOUNDING DONORS
Duane Conover
Kerry Donahue and Guy Story
Newton Freeman
Gary Hickling and Dennis Moore
James Michels
SEASON SPONSORS
Kitty Bateman
Kerry Donahue and Guy Story
Karin Fong and Arjan Schütte
Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting
The Heineman Foundation
The New York State Council on the Arts
2024 Donors
Anonymous
Derek Abbott and Kathryn Teng
Suhnne Ahn
Elizabeth Bellman
Maxine Bookless
Laura and Greg Bottomley
Jennifer Cheng
Rémie Christ
Lydia Coulter Kwee
Madeleine Crouch
Caroline Crumpacker
Kerry Donahue and Guy Story
Arlene and Larry Dunn
Karin Fong
Bryan Fong
Gary Hickling and Dennis Moore
Kurt Hunciker
Susan John
Tamar Kaissar
Aaron Kernis
Minseok Ko
Lydia Kontos
Susie Lee
Judy Levin
Adelaide Martens
Sandy Masur and Vic Schuster
James Michels
Miguel Miranda
Andrea Moore
Mitch Newman
Melissa Ngan
Kimie Parker
Olga Pecoraro
Tristan Perich
Harumi Rhodes
Zachary Ritter
Bill Rixon
Jinky Ang Rosselli
Suzanne Rousso
Eleanor and Steve Schiff
Arjan Schütte
Genie Schwartz
Nina Scolnik
Elizabeth and Darin Scott
Carl and Claudia Shuster
Monica Sinclair
Richard and Ingrid Suisman
Katie Sullivan
Liliya Ugay
Odessa Uno
Seth Weinreb
Donna Weng Friedman
Justine Whyland
Cora Yamagata
Stephanie Yoshida
Yvette Young
Special thanks to The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, The Alice P. Ditson Fund at Columbia University, the BMI Foundation, New Music USA, The Williamson Foundation, The Heineman Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts.