Created to develop rising talent, Fellowship recipients will be selected by a world-class panel of songwriters: Juliette Armanet, Patty Griffin, John Mellencamp, Carla Morrison and Nas
(TULSA, Okla.) — The Bob Dylan Center [BDC] and Universal Music Publishing Group [UMPG], the world’s leading music publishing company, have joined forces to launch the Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship, it was announced today by BDC director Steven Jenkins and UMPG chief operating officer Marc Cimino. To be awarded to two recipients annually, the Fellowship was created to mentor and develop aspiring songwriters in association with the tremendous educational resources of the Bob Dylan Center.
Each Fellowship encompasses a $40,000 project stipend, public engagement and presentation opportunities, dedicated time in BDC’s Bob Dylan Archive® to study Dylan’s creative process, roundtrip airfare to Tulsa and accommodations in the city, mentorship from UMPG songwriters and executives, and recording time in Tulsa’s historic The Church Studio, the famous studio of Leon Russell.
In addition to being reviewed by BDC and UMPG executives, annual Fellowship recipients will be selected by a global panel of renowned and esteemed artists, including: French singer and songwriter Juliette Armanet; American singer and songwriter Patty Griffin; American singer and songwriter John Mellencamp; Mexican singer and songwriter Carla Morrison; and American rapper and songwriter Nas.
Jenkins said: “The Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship is core to our mission of educating, motivating and inspiring visitors to engage their own capacity as creators, and we cannot wait to hear the entries from undiscovered talent around the world. We are grateful to continue our partnership with UMPG — the world’s leading music publisher is already such a great supporter of the BDC — and we know that this panel of extraordinary songwriters will select deserving Fellows for our inaugural year.”
Cimino said: “This is an unprecedented opportunity to connect developing talent with the works of one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Beyond access to meaningful mentorship and special resources, the archives at the Bob Dylan Center are indescribable and I can only imagine how much creative inspiration they will draw. With the support of the fantastic BDC team and panel of world-class artists, we look forward to developing a new group of songwriters in this unique environment.”
Beginning now through Oct. 18, 2023, eligible talent from around the world can submit entries for consideration of a Fellowship. To be eligible, entrants must be 18 years or older and unsigned to a publishing agreement of any kind at the time of the Fellowship start date, May, 1, 2024. For further details on applying as well as complete rules and restrictions, visit bobdylancenter.com/songwriterfellowship.
About The Bob Dylan Center:
Anchored by a permanent exhibit on the life and work of Bob Dylan, the Bob Dylan Center is committed to exploring the myriad forms of creativity that enrich the world around us. Located in the Tulsa Arts District, the center serves to educate, motivate and inspire visitors to engage their own capacity as creators. Through exhibits, public programs, performances, lectures and publications, the center fosters lively conversations about the role of creativity in our lives.
As the primary public venue for the Bob Dylan Archive® collection, the center curates and exhibits a priceless collection of more than 100,000 items spanning Dylan’s career, including handwritten manuscripts, notebooks and correspondence; films, videos, photographs and artwork; memorabilia and ephemera; personal documents and effects; unreleased studio and concert recordings; musical instruments and many other elements. More information at bobdylancenter.com.
About Universal Music Publishing Group
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is a leading global music publisher with 48 offices in 40 countries. Headquartered in Los Angeles, UMPG represents music across every genre from some of the world’s most important songwriters and catalogs. These include ABBA, Adele, Alabama Shakes, ATL Jacob, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Beach Boys, Beastie Boys, Bee Gees, Louis Bell, Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Jeff Bhasker, Justin Bieber, Blackbear, Benny Blanco, Nicholas Britell, Chris Brown, Tommy Brown, Mariah Carey, Brandi Carlile, Michael Chabon, Nija Charles, Kenny Chesney, Desmond Child, Cirkut, The Clash, Dave Cobb, Coldplay, Luke Combs, Alexandre Desplat, Jason Derulo, Neil Diamond, Disclosure, Drake, Dua Lipa, Bob Dylan, Billie Eilish, Danny Elfman, Eminem, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Omer Fedi, Feid, Florence + the Machine, Future, Martin Garrix, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Al Green, Josh Groban, Kid Harpoon, Emile Haynie, Jimi Hendrix, Don Henley, H.E.R., Hit-Boy, Sam Hunt, Carly Rae Jepsen, Rodney Jerkins, Tobias Jesso Jr., Billy Joel, Elton John/Bernie Taupin, Joe Jonas, Alicia Keys, Steve Lacy, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Linkin Park, Logic, Demi Lovato, the Mamas & the Papas, Steve Mac, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews, Shawn Mendes, Metallica, Metro Boomin, Julia Michaels, Miguel, Maren Morris, Mumford & Sons, Nas, Randy Newman, New Order, Pearl Jam, Post Malone, Elvis Presley, Prince, Quavo, Otis Redding, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rex Orange County, Lionel Richie, Maggie Rogers, Rosalía, Carole Bayer Sager, Gustavo Santaolalla, Schoolboy Q, Sex Pistols, Carly Simon, Blake Slatkin, Britney Spears, Stax (East Memphis Music), Sting, Harry Styles, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift, SZA, Take a Daytrip, Justin Timberlake, Shania Twain, U2, Keith Urban, Michael Uzowuru, The Weeknd, Jack White, Frank Zappa, Zedd and many more.