The Davis Independent Music Initiative (DIMI), a grant-funded initiative that seeks to improve the quality of music produced in Davis, Calif., has announced its upcoming grant application cycle. Musicians and groups in Davis looking to produce a new original musical album or work are encouraged to apply for the $10,000 grant. The application cycle opens on March 1, 2022, with a deadline of April 1, 2022.
DIMI was established in fall 2019 after inaugural recipient Joel Daniel received an award. Daniel received a $5,000.00 grant from the City of Davis Arts & Cultural Affairs Fund to write and release new music. He accepted the award with the strong hope that the group would continue to fund musicians in the years to come with an established grant.
Out of this, DIMI was formed with the goal of improving the music coming out of Davis. Recipients of the grant are expected to produce a new album or musical work, host it on the internet where the community can listen free of charge, and perform it for the city.
The 2022 application cycle will mark the third iteration of the grant. In addition to Daniel’s award in 2020, the musical partnership Boca Do Rio received the grant in 2021, bringing their Brazilian music to Davis.
“DIMI is pleased to announce the opening of our 2022 grant application,” said Daniel. “The grant is crucial in keeping music alive in Davis by giving local musicians the incentive to stay, write, produce, and perform their music for and in the community. The DIMI grant is one way to help keep talent in the area and support our local musicians as they pursue their paths of bringing music to the world.”
Individual musicians and musical groups looking to apply for the award can find the application on DIMI’s website. Projects that elevate the voices of and/or include Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), or otherwise promote cultural and social equity, are especially encouraged to apply.
Those interested in applying for the award or community members who are interested in songwriting are also invited to attend DIMI’s Song Dr./Tune Up Sessions held the first and third Wednesdays of the month via Zoom.
To learn more about DIMI, visit https://www.davisimi.com/.
