Keychange U.S. Inc. is a charitable non-profit organization championing gender equality and diversity within the music industry. The global movement originated as Keychange in Europe in 2017 under the leadership of Vanessa Reed and the PRS Foundation (UK), Reeperbahn Festival (Germany), and Musikcentrum Öst (Sweden). The Global Keychange Pledge boasts more than 613 signatories across the music ecosystem. Each organization tailors the Pledge to demonstrate its authentic commitment towards gender equality. On June 14th, 2022, Keychange U.S. launched in close collaboration with a generous contribution from Founding Sponsors Believe and TuneCore. Keychange U.S. is building on the global success of the movement to authentically develop a stronger, safer, and more inclusive U.S. music industry for all.

The Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program aims to provide professional development to women and gender-expansive *Emerging artists and innovators. The program offers career development through a mentorship program, virtual professional development sessions on various topics, in person team meet-ups, and showcase and speaking opportunities at partner festivals and conferences, and will run from November 2025 - March 2026. This year, 20 Participants will be selected from the following music hubs: Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City, Austin, Atlanta and Chicago. In future years, the program will expand to additional participants and cities.

*An Emerging ‘Artist’ is defined as anyone who writes and performs their own music, including, singers, songwriters, musicians or DJs. An ‘Innovator’ is defined as anyone who does not perform their own music, and is a music industry professional, including entrepreneurs, producers, engineers, A&R executives, music managers, lawyers, community organizers, music technology professionals, etc. NOTE: A songwriter or DJ who does not perform their own original music may apply as an Innovator.

Friday, June 20, 2025: Application period opens

Thursday, July 31, 2025: Application period closes

Friday, August 1, 2025 - Thursday, Aug 14, 2025: Internal Jury Review Process

Friday, August 15, 2025: Participant Invitation emails are sent out including a draft contract and list of required participation dates and terms

Tuesday, August 19 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (midnight): Deadline for selected applicants to accept participation, confirm availability, sign the contract, and fill out required grant criteria and Intake Form (access needs, band members, etc.)

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - Friday, August 22, 2025: If needed, alternate participant(s) will be contacted with an invitation to participate

Friday, August 22, 2025: Final Deadline for alternate applicant(s) to accept participation, confirm availability, sign the contract, and fill out required grant criteria and Intake Form (access needs, band members, etc.)

Early September 2025: Travel Stipend/Bursaries will be sent out to selected cohort (TBD, this date may change)

Wednesday, September 3, 2025: Declined applicants will receive notification and thanks for applying

Monday, September 15, 2025: Keychange U.S. Publicly Announces Final Cohort 

Wednesday, October 1, 2025: First Virtual onboarding Zoom with Cohort 

Early November 2025: Opening Meetup/Launch Event in Los Angeles (TBD)

The Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program supports women and gender expansive Artists and Innovators who wish to participate in our 6 month long career development program offering mentorship, community building, virtual professional development sessions, in person cohort meetups, and showcase and speaking opportunities at partner conferences and festivals. The program will run from November 2025 through March 2026. Should pandemic restrictions occur, Keychange U.S. will host events virtually. Applicants are required to commit to all virtual and online events and phases of the program. 

• Applicants must not have previously participated in Keychange Talent Development Program

• Applicants may not currently be an employee, hired to work on a project, or plan to work with (officially or unofficially) a proposed event Partner or Sponsor (ex. TuneCore, Believe, Keychange, Conference and Festival Partners, etc.)

• Applicants must commit to the full duration of the program from November 2025 to March 2026 including but not limited to:

• Virtual meet-ups:

  -First Virtual Onboarding Zoom meeting on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 @ 11 AM PT / 2PM ET (1 hour)

  -Virtual Holiday Cohort Mixer on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 @ 11 AM PT / 2PM ET (1 hour)

• In-person meet-ups:

  -Attend the Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program Opening Meetup launch event in Los Angeles in early November and Closing Meetup in Mid March 2026 (location TBD). We are still finalizing these details - the meetups will be 2 to 3 Days max and all selected participants are required to attend in person. Location/Dates to be announced soon.

• Virtual Professional Development Sessions: Attend and participate in monthly virtual professional development sessions on various topics led by industry partners (1 hour each)

  -Wednesday, November 19, 2025 @ 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET

  -Wednesday, December 10, 2025 @ 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET

  -Wednesday, January 14, 2026 @  11 AM PT / 2 PM ET

  -Wednesday, February 11, 2025 @ 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET

  -Wednesday, March 4, 2025 @ 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET

• Mentorship Sessions: Must be ready, willing, and open to career development and participate in the exclusive mentorship program including 5 hours of individual Mentor/Mentee Sessions from November through March (Dates TBD)

• Participation in one Partner event, music festival or conference (Extended from September 2025 through June 2026 TBD): Artists may have the opportunity to perform at one festival or showcase, while Innovators may be invited to speak on a panel or attend one conference as a mentor.

Potential Partner Opportunities (Subject To Change due to scheduling, partner needs, etc. Individual Preferences Not Guaranteed):

• Wunderkinder German Music Talent @ Reeperbahn Festival (September 17 + 18, 2025, Hamburg Germany, Valid Passport and ID required)

• The Wavy Awards (September 27, 2025,  NYC)

• We Make Noise Songwriting Camps (Fall 2025, TBD)

• Joshua Tree Music Festival (October 10, 2025, Joshua Tree, CA)

• Music Tectonics Conference (November 4-6, 2025, Santa Monica, CA)

• NAAM (Jan 20-24, 2026, Anaheim, CA)

• SXSW (March 12-18, 2026 Austin, TX)

• Muse Expo (March 22-25, 2026, Burbank, CA)

• Music Biz (May 11-14, 2026, Atlanta, GA)

• A2IM Indie Week (June 2026, NYC)

The Talent Development Program is designed for individuals seeking to advance their career and offers a number of benefits and resources. In order to maximize the experience, we count on you to be fully present and engaged throughout the program.

Each selected participant will receive a travel allowance “Stipend” so they can attend our official launch/first meetup in November 2025 and our final meetup in March 2026 and perform at one festival or speak or mentor at one conference (with ticket accreditation). Participants will also take part in an exclusive mentorship program and virtual professional development sessions for career-building and educational training. In addition, Participants will have access to an inspiring community of Keychange U.S. participants who are part of the program. The more you put into the Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program, the more you get from it! As well as being part of our global movement for gender equality and diversity in the music industry in partnership with various partners, sponsors, signatories, and ambassadors.

We allocate extra funds to participants with childcare needs, and to those with access needs.

NOTE: Selected Participants only receive a travel allowance (60% upfront / 40% later) along with other benefits. Participants are expected to purchase all travel tickets for the entire program within one week of receiving the funds and email the KCUS team copies of your reservations. Detailed instructions and more information will be provided when you receive the welcome letter.

Overview:

1. A Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program virtual group meetup

2. Two full network in person meetups

3. An opportunity to perform or speak or mentor at one festival or conference, including accreditation/festival ticket

4. Mentorship Program

5. Virtual Professional Development Sessions led by industry experts

6. Promotion via Keychange U.S. social media channels

7. Access to an exclusive networking/chat for Keychange U.S. participants

Global pandemic permitting, if you are unable to travel, we will provide suitable online/virtual alternatives.

Please note: Most costs will be covered by Keychange U.S., however, some financial participation may be required on your part, especially if you plan to bring band members to a selected performance showcase.

(*Please note: you, as the Artist, are applying to be the official “Participant” of the Talent Development Program. If you are a part of a band, you may bring up to three band members to accompany you onstage at your official showcase/festival performance. A band can consist of a maximum of four persons, including you as the Artist Participant in the TDP. Keychange U.S. may provide accommodation for the selected TDP Participant plus additional band members (TBD, to be discussed during the selection process). You will be responsible for any additional needs or accommodations for all band members.).

In the KEYCHANGE U.S. TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION you will be asked for the following:

• Your contact information

• Decide whether to apply as an Artist or an Innovator

• A short biography

• An short outline of your achievements and career to date

• To confirm whether this is the right time in your career to be a part of the Keychange U.S. Talent Development Program

• How you will make the most of the opportunity to develop their creative and business goals during and after the project

• Establish how you will contribute to and benefit from the Keychange U.S. network

• Gather voluntary information to monitor the breadth and diversity of applicants

For more F.A.Q., please check here.