The cultural and creative industries are among the fastest growing sectors in the world; the arts and culture sector, 6.1% of the global economy, has an estimated global worth of $4.3 trillion per year (UNESCO, 2022). However, marginalized communities have been left further behind than their Caucasian peers; it is well documented that the contributions of Black and Brown musicians to western music have been overlooked and devalued for centuries. This is not only an artistic problem but an economic and societal one. When Black and Brown vocal artists’ entrepreneurship and talent are not nurtured, they earn less, encounter fewer professional opportunities, and/or leave the field altogether, thus increasing the racial/wealth divide.

EVA targets these intersectional issues, expanding opportunities in the arts and enhancing the skills of Delaware’s future workforce. Summer Institute, the core of our programming, is a stipend-based, intensive five-week program designed specifically for Vocal Arts Apprentices aged 18-25—a demographic often overlooked in traditional workforce development programs. We seek to address systemic racism and wealth inequity that has led to stagnation in the arts and the labor market, impacting our state in both the short and long-term. 

Join us at Elevate Vocal Arts and discover the wealth of opportunities awaiting you in the vibrant world of vocal arts. Together, we will shape the future of the creative economy in Delaware and beyond!