Read about Obama's Artist Corps plan to spread the arts in low-income schools.
Musician Kiff Gallagher, who serves on Obama's National Arts Policy Committee, is hoping to spread his MusicianCorps with the support of the Obama administration. NPR: There's already a model being developed for musicians called MusicianCorps. Kiff Gallagher's idea would be similar to AmeriCorps — in exchange for a year or two of service teaching in schools and after-school programs, musicians would get health care and a living stipend. Gallagher has the attention of Obama's transition team.
He also has the attention of private industry — the Hewlett Foundation gave MusicianCorps a $500,000 grant for a pilot program in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Man Behind The Idea
Gallagher, who grew up singing and playing piano, left a successful career as president of a socially conscious business association about five years ago to work on his music full time. He started performing at clubs around San Francisco and caught the attention of folks in the music industry.
"Some major labels were calling me because they dug my record, which was flattering and exciting," he said.
