Want to go to The NAMM Show? SWIM is Here to Help!
The Smart Women in Music (SWIM) Fund is offering four awards for women in the music products industry to attend The NAMM Show in Anaheim, June 3-5, 2022.
Established in 2018, the fund expands diversity and inclusion and provides women support in the music products industry. The group achieves its mission by developing leadership proficiencies and aspirations for women in various stages of their careers by facilitating professional development opportunities at The NAMM Show and Summer NAMM, offering job-shadowing and mentorship services, coordinating in-company residencies, and hosting a leadership symposium.
On December 1, 2021, the fund opened its scholarship application period for women to attend The 2022 NAMM Show. The group will award up to four applicants a one-time stipend payment of $1,500 to help cover travel expenses.
To be considered for the award, women need to have at least three years of experience in the music products industry and must be interested in continued professional development and networking opportunities across the industry. Priority for the award is given to women who have not attended a previous NAMM Show. In addition, applicants must be employed by a NAMM Member company.
Leanne Chu, a project manager for NAMM Member Gator Cases, attended Summer NAMM on the award. She said, “As excited as I could have been when I first found out about the award, I had no idea that I'd come back with such contentment and confidence regarding my job and where it is going. SWIM is not just a scholarship granting organization; it provides invaluable training and mentorship programs that educate and inspire.”
Upon receipt, award recipients will be required to participate in at least four sessions at the NAMM U Idea Center, attend a NAMM U Breakfast Session, and attend three hours of job- shadowing at The NAMM Show with SWIM-affiliated women leaders. After the Show, awardees will share a final report summarizing activities and takeaways from their experience.
For more information on the SWIM Fund, please visit https://www.nammfoundation.org/educator-resources/swim-smart-women-music-fund, and interested applicants for the award are encouraged to apply at https://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/ao_login.login?x_gm_id=2807&x_style_id=&x_proposal_type_id=55770.