The Motown Musician Accelerator Is Looking To Support the Next Wave of Detroit Musicians

Now in its third year, the intensive program aimed at Detroit musicians and managers is expanding the talent pool and looking for artists who show and prove they “really want this,” says director Suai Kee.

The latest round of the Motown Musician Accelerator initiative is now accepting applications.

The 12-week intensive program is catered to elevating Detroit artists creatively and professionally. The educational initiative emerging musicians are often paired with professional heavyweights to guide them through the ins-and-outs of the industry. 


Meet some of the alumni from the Motown Musician Accelerator with CultureShift:


Now in its third season, the initiative has extended its submission call-out to increase the number of cohort mentees and also include aspiring music managers. The program now takes in 10 artists and 10 managers, who will begin with a six-week program and work toward earning a slot for the 12-week intensive workshops, which include a $5,000 stipend for managers and a $25,000 grant for artists to use toward their career and project roll-out strategy. 

“I love that we are working toward rebuilding that music infrastructure that used to really exist in Detroit,” says Suai Kee, director of the Motown Musician Accelerator program. “When people think of Detroit, we want them to think classic Motown, yes, but also current, poppin’ artists who are doing it right now.”

Ready to submit? Application guidelines and submissions for the 2021 cohort are now available. The deadline to apply is March 14.


Click the audio player to hear the full interview with Motown Musician Accelerator director Suai Kee:

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