2021-2022 impact report

It’s been an amazing and transformative year here at DTS, thanks to our incredible team, our champion community, and our DTS Rising Stars! 

Diversify The Stage has continued to accelerate our mission of building greater access to careers in the live music and entertainment industry, moving towards a more inclusive culture for often excluded communities across the US. We have expanded our staff over this year to support our internal operations and program leadership needs, thanks to grant funding awarded by Warner Music Group’s Blavatnik Family Foundation, a sponsored project of Moore Impact Philanthropy. Without the dedication and support given day-in and day-out by these individuals, DTS would not have been able to support our social impact programs effectively. I am grateful for their talents, passion, and commitment to our mission and youth!  

We are happy to announce that our DTS Apprenticeship Program has had another successful year of activities, and 80% of our 2022 cohort were placed in paid shadowing opportunities, part-time internships, and full-time work this year! We are eternally grateful for aligned community partners that helped open the doors for DTS Rising Stars, our dedicated mentors who supported their journeys, and our incredible masterclass participants who took the time to share knowledge about themselves, their careers, and their day-to-day experiences navigating the industry. We are also grateful to our scholarship donors at KORG and IEBA for enabling us to create equitable opportunities for our youth in pathways that were not able to pay salaries , and opportunities that held responsibility for costs. Without this community reciprocity, many of our Rising Stars would not have been able to pursue their passions and obtain the real-time experience necessary for their career development.  

Though we have been able to support DTS Rising Stars over this eight-month program successfully, we did stumble upon a few challenges that we did not have during the 2021 apprenticeship placements cycle, specifically in areas of connecting with opportunities amongst our touring communities. With the landscape of so many artists and bands coming back online at the same time this year, a severe shortage in experienced personnel, and navigating covid-19 protocols for the safety of all artists and crew, we experienced a decline in the willingness to engage with entry-level candidates; something that we hope in 2023 becomes less cumbersome as our touring teams get used to being back in full force. Though the opportunities climate with touring teams was not as abundant, we found more opportunities through our Venue and Festival partnerships. 

We want to thank our network partners at C3 Presents, Venue Nation, MSG, The Regent, The Fillmore PA; The Bowery Presents Boston, AEG Presents Eastern, Governors Ball Music Festival, Toyota Arena, Eighth Day Sound, Atlantic, and Elektra Records, Mtheory, TBA Agency, Q-Prime, recording artists The Knocks, Coldplay, and Haven Studios Chicago for creating space for DTS Rising Stars, we look forward to continuing working with your teams and leadership moving into 2023!

As we look ahead into the future of DTS, we are excited to evolve our impact activities in the new year as we expand our intentional and in-person gatherings, activate consultation and training services for our Inclusion Initiative Pledge Community, and launch our 3rd year of Apprenticeship Programming for the next generation of DTS Rising Stars. We have taken the first significant step in this evolution by applying for and receiving our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS; establishing Diversify The Stage Programs, which will sustain our non-profit social impact activities; releasing us from any third-party sponsored business models. This next step in our organization’s growth and development will allow DTS to truly stand on its own as an independent organization and provide exceptional transparency to our donors and supporters for years to come!

DTS has raised over $380,000 in grant and general donations support over the past two fiscal years; $210,700 in funding was raised in 2022. Through this funding, we awarded over $10,000 in scholarship support designated for DTS Apprenticeship Program participants, making it possible for these next-generation leaders to expand their career development in audio engineering, venue operations, marketing and promotions, and artist relations. 

In order to maintain operating our Apprenticeship Program and keeping the organization sustainable to keep on part time and full time staff to support day to day operations as well as program management; DTS must maintain a fiscal year budget of a minimum $500,000 each year. This annual budget does not reflect crucial operational staff members that will be vital to the future growth of DTS including an Executive Director. We will need the support of community and advocates to ensure that DTS may continue to thrive and support our next generation workforces for years to come.

Thank you to our 2021 and 2022 donors and sponsors at CMA Foundation, Live Nation, C3 Presents, Agents Becky Gardenhire, Kevin Shivers and Seth Seigle at William Morris Endeavor, Rock Lititz, Primary Wave, Austin City Limits, Fitz And The Tantrums, Bigger Hammer, Snappt., and all of our public donors who have made it possible for DTS to lead our collective efforts towards changing our beloved industry for the better!

The DTS Squad are so proud of the work we have accomplished this year, and are thankful for all the continuous support received from our growing community! Let’s keep Growing!

With Gratitude,

Noelle Scaggs Founder and President

Diversify The Stage, INC.

Diversify The Stage Programs 501(c)(3)