Become a Member
Becoming a NIMAN member means you are joining a nation-wide effort to align the critically important equity and inclusion work in classical music across the country.
Organizational membership dues are 0.00075% of your organization’s annual budget (rounded to nearest $10, up to a cap of $2,500), and pay-what-you-can for organizations with budgets under $300,000.
Individual membership dues are $100 annually, and $25 for students and young professionals under 30.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NIMAN has adopted a pay-what-you-can model for all members in 2021, regardless of membership category.
become a founding member today
Organizations and individuals who join before March 1, 2021, regardless of membership category, will be able to nominate and vote* upon the inaugural Board of Directors election. Founding Members will be recognized on our virtual Gratitude Wall for spearheading NIMAN’s movement for equity in classical music.
*Subsequent board elections will be a benefit reserved for Active Program Members only.
Active Programs
Membership for organizations with active programs that train and support underrepresented instrumentalists with associated human and financial resources
Supporting Organizations
Membership for organizations that engage in equity work but do not have active programs focused on supporting underrepresented instrumentalists
Individuals
Membership for professional musicians, students, educators, music lovers and anyone who is devoted to creating equity for all classical musicians
Membership Benefits
ACTIVE PROGRAM MEMBERS
- Board nomination and voting privileges;
- Participation in national program evaluation, outcomes measurement, and other research projects;
- Access to the NIMAN musician database;
- Access to sponsored program funding opportunities;
- Access to group financial benefits such as discounted tuition to national programs or instrument purchases;
- Access to data reports and study outcomes
- Access to libraries of recommended readings, studies, and other curated resources;
- Access to recommended tools, policies, procedures, and best practices;
- Newsletter and general communications;
- Invitations and discounts to conferences, performances, and other events;
- Access to free/discounted consulting, technical assistance, and training opportunities;
- Use of the name “Member of the National Instrumentalist Mentoring and Advancement Network”
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION MEMBERS
- Access to data reports and study outcomes
- Access to libraries of recommended readings, studies, and other curated information;
- Access to recommended tools, policies, procedures, and best practices;
- Newsletter and general communications;
- Invitations and discounts to conferences, performances, and other events;
- Access to free/discounted consulting, technical assistance, and training opportunities;
- Use of the name “Member of the National Instrumentalist Mentoring and Advancement Network”
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
- Access to members-only programs and events
- Access to data reports and study outcomes
- Access to libraries of recommended readings, studies, and other curated information;
- Access to recommended tools, policies, procedures, and best practices;
- Newsletter and general communications;
- Invitations and discounts to conferences, performances, and other events;
- Access to free/discounted consulting, technical assistance, and training opportunities;
- Use of the name “Member of the National Instrumentalist Mentoring and Advancement Network”
Join a Task Force
Artist Mentors
Open for BIPOC professional musicians and educators. Artist Mentors provide mentoring and coaching to young musicians supported by NIMAN. Artist Mentors also provide direct feedback to NIMAN staff and Board of Directors. NIMAN membership is complimentary for any year you serve.
Advisory Council
Open for a diverse group of organizational leaders and musicians to advise NIMAN on a wide range of issues related to building equitable opportunities, dismantling systemic discrimination, and supporting underrepresented musicians of color in the field. NIMAN membership is complimentary for any year you serve.
Member Engagement
Reserved for NIMAN members only. Recruit new members, develop member engagement initiatives, build affinity groups, review membership applications, and generally work to strengthen the value of NIMAN membership.
Nominating and Governance
Reserved for NIMAN members only. Facilitate NIMAN’s board nomination and voting process, recruit new board nominees, review and oversee the by-laws, and provide guidance for best governance practices.
“The launch of NIMAN is an important step in ensuring equitable opportunities for classical musicians of color across their entire learning and career trajectory.
The National Orchestral Institute + Festival is thrilled to join a diverse coalition of institutions to address the inequities head on and demonstrate through partnership how to create a pipeline of success.”
RICHARD SCERBO, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE + FESTIVAL
NIMAN Board Nominations
The inaugural NIMAN Board of Directors will play a critical role in leading the association in its early-years and ensure its lasting impact. The Board of Directors will establish NIMAN’s governance practices, organizational policies, and guide the association’s first set of national initiatives.
We are currently accepting recommendations for candidates for the inaugural NIMAN Board of Directors. NIMAN seeks board candidates who are passionate about and dedicated to creating inclusive systems for classical musicians of color to thrive in the field.
NIMAN’s Board of Directors will represent a diversity of race, gender, gender identity, life experience, professional background and expertise that bring essential voices to the mission of achieving systemic and cultural equity in classical music.
Nominees do not need to be NIMAN members or employees or board members of a member organization.
