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Providing tuition-free music instruction on Chicago's West Side
CAMP envisions a world where orchestral education is accessible regardless of social standing, addresses community needs, encourages youth leadership and civic engagement, and inspires a new generation of excellent, diverse, and collaborative musicians.
It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of CAMP.
Due to financial difficulties, CAMP is not able to finish programming this school year and will be dissolving as a nonprofit on June 30th. We are proud to have served the West Side community for the last seven years with tuition-free orchestra programming, impacting an amazing 441 students, 73 schools, and 37 neighborhoods. We are so grateful to everyone who joined us along the way as participants, partners, or supporters. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Why is CAMP closing?
In December, Lindsay Fredrickson resigned as Executive Director to pursue other opportunities after the end of the school year. After many attempts at merging with other respected music organizations, we were unable to reach any realistic ways to continue programming next school year. With no leader to take on running the organization, CAMP will be dissolving at the end of our fiscal year.
Is this decision related to the current administration?
No. Very little of our funding has come from government grants. However, if we were to continue programming, it would definitely become more difficult to secure even the small amount we already receive as the Illinois Arts Council Agency is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which has already seen drastic changes.
Why are you ending early?
Because we will not be continuing programming next year, we will not be receiving a grant from one of our primary funders, a private foundation whose funds usually come through in May (an anticipated $50,000). We still have some significant upcoming expenses in addition to some debt that has accumulated over the past few years. In order to limit the amount we still need to fundraise and dissolve the organization without debt, we have to end programming now.
What happens next?
Every CAMP student will be allowed to keep their instrument. It is our hope that they will continue learning music at another low-cost or free program in Chicago. As a dissolving nonprofit, we are legally required to distribute our remaining assets. In order to alleviate remaining costs, we will sell what we can. The remaining instruments and materials will be divided among our partner school, Beidler Elementary, and nearby music programs.
If you are interested in purchasing specific instruments or materials, please reach out to Lindsay Fredrickson at lindsayfredrickson@chicagoartsandmusicproject.org.
We still need your help!
In order for CAMP to dissolve without debt, we need to raise $25,000 before June 30th. Will you give today and honor the great work CAMP has done over the past seven years? Help us end strong!
2023-24 CAMP Impact Report
CAMP knows that music changes lives, which is why we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to learn an instrument. CAMP made a huge impact on the West Side last year, reaching over 50 students and performing 12 times! Check out the 2023-24 Impact Report to see everything we accomplished!
About
Learn more about our organization, mission, and why we believe that music can change the world.
stories
CAMP has accomplished incredible things since 2018. Read some of our favorite stories!
