Unmanageable's 2023 Year In Review
This has been a big year of growth! Since launching our non-profit officially in 2020, we have raised more than $800,000 to support artists! This includes project-related funding to help with creative development, workshops and performances, touring, and album recording, along with aid that went directly into the pockets of artists for creative projects, urgent needs, and COVID relief support. Click here to learn more about the artists and projects we supported in 2023.
This has been a big year of growth!
Since launching our non-profit officially in 2020, we have raised more than $800,000 to support artists! This includes project-related funding to help with creative development, workshops and performances, touring, and album recording, along with aid that went directly into the pockets of artists for creative projects, urgent needs, and COVID relief support.
In July of this year, we were lucky to be invited by the organizers of GoodWorld Journeys to participate in guided conversations and strategy sessions that helped us hone our mission and strategic vision for the future of our organization, which reaffirms our commitment to artists.
Unmanageable exists to support visionary artists who aim to create a more compassionate, inclusive world, with a focus on those who have been historically under-represented and under-resourced in the performing arts, especially in the South. Our work happens in creative project management, fundraising, fiscal sponsorship, and convening.
PROJECT UPDATES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
This fall, we were thrilled to learn that several of the artists and projects we support were nominated for Grammys! Huge congrats to Allison Russell for her FOUR nominations and to the artists, engineers and creators behind The Blue Hour for their nomination.
Earlier this year, we worked in tandem with artist and activist Tift Merritt to present her Rosetta Circle at Duke Performances, a week-long artist residency and performance honoring and uplifting the voices of artists on Rosetta Records by contemporary artists, including Shirlette Ammons, Rissi Palmer, Shana Tucker, and Adia Victoria, along with Tift, and guided by the creative support of theater director JaMeeka Holloway.
We have also been a thought partner to radical feminist label Spinster Records as they organize a 3-album tribute to the artists of Rosetta Records with Americana Music Productions. The 3-LP compilation will bring together a vibrant combination of original recordings, newly-remastered audio, and contemporary covers, and will include original archival and oral historical research, previously unreleased archival recordings, liner notes by both giants and emerging voices of Black feminist criticism, and original artwork.
In June, Unmanageable served as co-producer for the first annual Rancho La Puerta Artist Retreat & Folk Festival, alongside artist Amber Rubarth. It was a dream to offer a space of creative restoration to a number of artists. We are inspired to offer more artist retreats in the future and will make this a key focus of our work.
Finally, Unmanageable has collaborated with Allison Russell to launch The Once & Future Sounds Fund. The Once & Future Sounds Fund works to improve equity in the music industry by elevating artists from historically marginalized and exploited groups. The Fund, inspired by Russell’s pairing of art and activism, will launch two signature programs — The Once & Future Laureate Program and The Once & Future Festival — over the next three years. Learn more here
Photo credit Sam Erickson
Next year, we have a number of exciting projects and initiatives on our plates including building out our Women’s Giving Circle to include fellowships for artists and activists; the development of a new work by composer Molly Herron; production of the 2nd annual Rancho La Puerta Folk Festival; and the launch of a new podcast called Radio Resistance, which will amplify the voices of experimental artists based in the South.
And last but certainly not least! This year we strengthened the family of support around our work by building our board and launching an incredible advisory board. We want to recognize them and express our deep gratitude in the many ways they have helped us build a family around this work:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Erin Malone-Smolla, Board Chair
Christy Frink
Christina Horn
Kortney Toney
Abigail Washburn
ADVISORY BOARD:
Tracy Gershon
Ali Harnell
Fiona Prine
Allison Russell
Shannon Sanders
Carolyn Snell
Rachel Whitney
Our work continues to expand and evolve, and so does our family of supporters! We are grateful for your continued partnership, wisdom, advocacy, and generosity.
With tremendous love and thanks, and best wishes for 2024,
Carissa & Celine
If you're able - please consider supporting Unmanageable's work in 2023 and beyond. If you're moved by what we're doing, click the button below to make a year-end gift! We are so grateful for your support.