The Juilliard School has announced a $50 million permanent endowment grant from Crankstart in support of arts education.

The funding will support the Music Advancement Program (MAP), a Saturday program for intermediate and advanced music students from New York City’s five boroughs and the tri-state area that actively recruits students from backgrounds underrepresented in classical music. In recognition of the program’s thirtieth anniversary, the grant will provide full-tuition scholarships for all participants, enable the program to expand its recruitment efforts, and support additional program investments, including increasing the number of faculty and staff, supporting guest artists, and establishing an instrument fund.

Based in San Francisco, Crankstart previously awarded a $5 million grant in support of MAP to address needs that emerged in the wake of the 2008 economic downturn. The family foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of Michael Moritz and Harriet Heyman, who joined the Giving Pledge in 2012.

“Crankstart recognizes Juilliard’s commitment to preparing students from diverse backgrounds for roles as top-flight musicians in leading orchestras and ensembles around the world,” said Heyman. “Today, the proportion of Black and Hispanic musicians in professional orchestras is only 4 percent. MAP’s commitment to recruiting underrepresented minorities will help bring new spirit, as well as superb young musicians, to orchestras, concert halls, and theaters everywhere.”

"This gift is incredibly meaningful in that it will affect a staggering number of students for years to come,” said MAP artistic director Anthony McGill. “At MAP, we discover and encourage young talent, foster a community of compassionate citizens, and celebrate the power of music. Harriet and Michael Moritz’s generosity broadens our reach, expands the artistic and educational possibilities for these talented musicians, and opens pathways for them as artists and future leaders in the world.”

(Photo credit: Erin Baiano)