Carmel PorchFest has announced a new grant program designed to provide financial support for up-and-coming musicians in the community to cover items such as new instruments, lessons, schooling and other musical opportunities in exchange for volunteer hours.
As part of the program, students must volunteer four hours at a Carmel PorchFest event to become eligible for the grant.
PorchFest awarded its first three grants at Holiday PorchFest on Dec. 10 at Midtown Plaza. The recipients were Erin Kong, Taehee Kim, and Brayden Meng – all from Carmel High School.
Carmel PorchFest is a free, family-friendly event with a variety of local musical acts performing live on neighborhood porches. PorchFest was established in 2014 to promote the Arts & Design District homes, as well as highlight local and statewide musicians. PorchFest also runs the community’s favorite block party, Late Night on Main, hosting a handful of concerts every year.
Carmel PorchFest Inc. is run by a Board of Directors along with a committee of Carmel volunteers and business owners. The events are supported by local sponsors and donors who make the events possible.
As PorchFest continues to grow, the board and sponsors want to extend their reach to young, aspiring musicians in the community. Zotec Partners, Duke Energy, and other sponsors made donations to create the new grant program.
Who can apply?
Students aged 6 to 18 can apply for financial assistance in return for volunteering time at events held throughout the year. Students aged 13 and under will need a parent or guardian to volunteer with them.
How to apply
Visit the grant program page or sign up here. Then sign up to volunteer at a Carmel PorchFest, Inc. event on the website’s volunteer page. The plan is to award grants twice a year.
Support the grand program
If you are interested in becoming a donor to support the grant program, please email info@carmelporchfest.org or submit your donation to our Venmo account @Carmel-PorchFestLLC. To be a part of our VIP Program, donate $500 to receive four tickets to each of PorchFest’s Feinstein’s VIP Lounge events, which is a hospitality area at the Late Night on Main events and Carmel PorchFest. Each VIP Lounge offers free appetizers, drinks and raffle prizes.