DC JAZZ FESTIVAL
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Mission Statement
The DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) was founded in 2004 with a mission to create, develop, implement and support cultural and educational programs in Washington, DC through the presentation of concerts, festivals, workshops, lecture/demonstrations, symposia, master classes, and other programs related to jazz, blues, Latin and world music. DCJF programs are the annual DC Jazz Festival, held each June, and the year-round DCJF Education Program. The DC Jazz Festival is a citywide, festival targeting people of all ages in the Washington, DC area, plus DC visitors, through performances and educational programs, a majority of which are free. Recognized as a world-class festival, This citywide festival serves a broad cross-section of the community through free and low-priced programs at 60 DC venues including arts centers, clubs, restaurants, hotels, libraries, theatres, museums, schools, parks, houses of worship, and community centers.
About This Cause
The mission of the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is to present internationally renowned and emerging artists in celebration of jazz through dynamic programs that advance jazz and music education; that unify diverse communities; that enable connections between artists and audiences; and that enhance economic growth in the District of Columbia. Our 2021 strategic plan focuses on programmatic diversity, sustainability, dynamic partnerships, access and innovation, and promoting DC as a premier jazz destination. Recognizing the need for an international jazz festival in the nation’s capital, renowned jazz producer Charles Fishman established the DC Jazz Festival in 2004. Today, our signature programs are the annual DC Jazz Festival, the DCJF Education Program, and the Fishman Artist Embassy Series. DC Jazz Festival is the District’s largest jazz festival and receives significant media recognition as a world-class festival. Since 2005, this inclusive, citywide festival has grown in size and stature, serving nearly a million people, including visitors from across the U.S. and abroad. Our 2016 festival served nearly 76,000 people through 125 free and affordably priced programs at 50 clubs, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, parks and arts centers in 21 DC neighborhoods. Performers representing a diversity of musical styles range from young, emerging stars to jazz masters. Artists have included the Marsalis family, Harry Connick Jr., Esperanza Spalding, the Roots, Common, Terence Blanchard, Clark Terry, Gregory Porter, Rebirth Brass Band, Dianne Reeves, Roy Haynes, Poncho Sanchez, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eddie Palmieri, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Taj Mahal, Irma Thomas, Trombone Shorty and many others. The festival also presents hundreds of DC-based musicians each year as part of our commitment to showcasing the District’s resident artists. Established in 2008, our free, year-round DCJF Education Program serves more than 800 students and 1,700 of their teachers, parents and families each year, heightening their appreciation for jazz and teaching them about the important role our nation’s capital has played and continues to play in the perpetuation of jazz. Our Fishman Artist Embassy Series introduces DC audiences to outstanding emerging and established jazz musicians in partnership with the Embassy community. In 2015, The New York Times named the DC Jazz Festival one of “50 Essential Summer Festivals.” DC Jazz Festival was the only jazz festival to appear on the list. The DC Jazz Festival is financial healthy, operating with positive net assets, no debt and a cash reserve. Over the past 13 years, our organization has developed a diverse group of funders. All Board members support the organization, and a Board-approved give-or-get policy is in place. The ongoing objective is to further diversify the festival’s contributed income among individuals, foundations, corporations and government agencies, ensuring limited reliance on any single revenue source. Budgets above do not include in-kind donations; our 2015 audit reported in-kind donations of $445,615. Increased earned income in 2015 reflected a 30% increase in ticket sales. Increased contributed income in 2015 reflected increased support from our Board of Directors and increased corporate support secured by Board members. Expenses grew with the hiring of a new Artistic Director and expanded year-round programs. Administrative expenses increased in FY15 in part because a new staff member was hired. The festival’s 50 venue partners enable us to serve residents in their own communities. Venues are selected based on their ability to make our festival as wide reaching as possible. Most partners are near Metro stops or along bus routes. The festival is proud to partner with Atlas Performing Arts Center, Children’s National, The Kennedy Center, Sixth & I, National Gallery of Art, The Yards, University of the District of Columbia, New York University DC, Howard Theatre, National Museum of American History, The Phillips Collection, Covenant House, Sitar Arts Center and dozens of clubs, restaurants, libraries, hotels, places of worship, embassies, and arts centers. In 2014, DCJF was a finalist for the DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts in recognition of this partnership model. In-kind partners Sage Communications and The Washington Post provide annual marketing and communications services valued at over $100,000 annually. Forest City Enterprises provides free office space. Artistic Director Willard Jenkins selects the festival’s artists and ensures they represent the highest caliber of musicianship and a diversity of styles. Performers range from young, emerging stars to jazz masters, and there is always a mix of resident, national and international artists. While it is premature at this stage to finalize artists for our 2018 festival, those under consideration include those mentioned previously along with: Jon Batiste & Stay Human; Lalah Hathaway; Corinne Bailey Rae; Butler, Bernstein & the Hot 9; the Chico Freeman Quartet with Chico’s uncle, guitarist George Freeman; Randy Weston African Rhythms and The Strickland Brothers; saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera and his wife, vocalist Brenda Feliciano; and a double-bill with guitarists and spouses Mike and Leni Stern and the Eubanks Brothers (trombonist Robin, guitarist Kevin and trumpeter Duane). Many of these artists have not performed at our past festivals. In addition, 150 DC-based artists will perform. The festival collects written evaluations from a sampling of audience members including students, parents, performers and partner organizations. Evaluations capture demographic information including ethnicity, age, place of residence, and DC neighborhood of residence. Select performances are recorded and media reviews are compiled. In a May 15, 2015 feature article, The New York Times named the DC Jazz Festival one of “50 Essential Summer Festivals.” The DC Jazz Festival was the only jazz festival to appear on the list. The festival and its partner venues track the number of attendees based on ticket purchases and estimates. The festival also tracks the number of artists, including DC-based artists, employed. For a fifth year, the George Washington University School of Business will conduct an economic impact analysis. The most recent analysis showed the 2016 festival’s direct economic impact on the local area was $10,381,340. Evaluation results will help determine future programming.