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Playing For Change Foundation (PFCF) had its 2023 Impact Awards Gala, honoring global superstarMaluma for his philanthropic impact with his foundation, El Arte de los Sueños.
More than 350 guests attended the evening gala which featured musical performances by funk legendGeorge Clinton with a live DJ set backed by Charlie Soul Clap, Amine, and other inspiring artists. Through a live and silent auction, Playing For Change Foundation raised $2 million.
During the event, it was announced that PFCF, Florida International University’s Wertheim School of Music, El Arte de los Sueños, and Young Musicians Unite will form a coalition to create a pipeline to give touth in their formative years an opportunity for higher education that will ignite a positive change in the course of their lives. Together, they will offer music education to 3,500 students per week, from 35 Miami-Dade County public middle schools in underserved communities. Students will have access to a Wynwood recording studio where they will be able perform, record, sell, and distribute their music on platforms such as Spotify, and CEEK, all at no cost to the students. Young artists will have a pathway to The Wertheim School of Music with master classes, educational seminars, and mentorship.
The event was co-chaired by PFCF Founder & Board ChairwomanWhitney Kroenke Silverstein, and board member Archie Drury. The 2023 Impact Awards Gala was presented and streamed byCEEK Metaverse.
“I’m very happy that my foundation is partnering with Playing For Change Foundation, Young Musicians Unite and the FIU Wertheim School of Music to bring our program to Miami,” said Maluma. “Together, I know that we will change these kids’ lives through music just as music changed my life.”
El Arte de los Sueños is a non-profit organization that works with adolescents in vulnerable situations through the urban genre and its different expressions such as composition, instrumentation, singing, production, dance, and painting. The announcement marks a milestone in El Arte de los Sueños’ global expansion, with this being its first partnership outside of Colombia.
“While the world has always faced social challenges, particularly children in vulnerable areas, communities are facing these challenges at a heightened level today,” said Kroenke Silverstein,PFCF Founder & Board Chairwoman. “The importance of like-minded foundations collaborating to make bigger and bolder impacts is paramount to future generations making important contributions to society.”
Jake Groshong, PFCF CEO, agreed.
“If there’s one thing that this event shows over and over again, it’s that we all have a universal language,” said Groshong. “We all speak music. And when we come together through culture we are able address the most pressing issues our next generation faces – no matter how difficult their circumstances might be.”
Founded in 2007, PFCF grew out of a common belief that music has the power to connect people regardless of their differences while creating positive and wide-reaching social impact through music and arts education. Its efforts engage marginalized youth in diverse communities around the world. Although its programs are generally located in low income communities, these areas are home to great cultural wealth which is utilized to create educational and social opportunities. PFCF currently operates 50 music programs in 17 countries, and has positively impacted more than 40,000 lives, including more than 3,000 youth each week through regular programming.
This year’s partners included Florida International University’s Wertheim School of Music,CEEK VR, El Arte de los Sueños, Braman Miami, and Una Vodka.
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