Chicago Musicians' Community Retirement Fund

A fiscally sponsored project of Experimental Sound Studio

The Chicago Musicians Community Retirement Fund (CMCRF) is an initiative dedicated to enhancing the employment security and financial freedom of Chicago's non-union, freelance musicians. CMCRF will catalyze an industry-wide conversation around artists' long-term financial stability, provide educational info sessions to help artists set up IRAs, and pilot a program to match artists' qualifying investments. CMCRF offers freelance musicians – any career stage, genre, or age – an opportunity to learn about options for financial security and confidently plan for retirement.

The Fund is making a vigorous effort to ensure its work is equitable. Its Steering Committee is set to reflect demographic, geographic, and musical diversity; Fund announcements, workshops, and info sessions will align with the city’s INVEST South/West priority areas; and the Fund will make a special effort to work with artists who have not yet set up an IRA, directing them to resources for first-time investors.

“COVID-19 highlighted the financial vulnerability of musicians. According to the NEA, 45% of musicians are freelance, and only 33% hold full-time jobs (2022). Nearly half of all musicians navigated the pandemic without the traditional safety nets of worker’s compensation, unemployment benefits, and employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. Most musicians now face increased financial vulnerability as they work to recoup lost wages, gigs, and savings.”

Leadership

Inspired by the community wealth building movement, which advances a model in which community members have direct ownership and control of their assets, the Chicago Musicians Community Retirement Fund is designed to be governed by the individuals it benefits. In an operating structure that is similar to a union or grassroots political organization, a representative group of grantees will make up a Steering Committee and direct the Fund's grantmaking strategies and processes. The Steering Committee (to be announced in October 2023) is set to reflect demographic, geographic, and musical diversity.

Administrative Committee

Deidre Huckabay - Project Manager
Deidre Huckabay is a Chicago-based artist. They are co-owner of the experimental cassette tape label Parlour Tapes+ and a member of the Chicago-based collective Mocrep. Deidre has degrees in flute performance from the Eastman School of Music and Duquesne University, and they have extensively toured the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. They have 10 years' experience fundraising and grant writing for Chicago-area nonprofits and artists and are especially compelled to collaborate with artists and organizations practicing experimental, interdisciplinary, and difficult-to-define approaches.

Olivia Junell - Engagement & Outreach Manager
Olivia Junell is Co-Director/Director of Development & Outreach at ESS. She has over 15 years of experience working in development at small to mid-sized arts non-profits. Her career trajectory has given her extensive, diverse experience in fundraising, project management, project development, budgeting, production, strategic planning, and marketing. Olivia has held various roles at a number of contemporary arts and music organizations including significant involvement at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, High Concept Labs, and Women & Their Work, among others. Olivia serves on the board of Honey Pot Performance.

Kelsey McFalls - Evaluation & Research Manager
Kelsey McFalls is Development Associate at ESS. She brings over 8 years of experience working with non-profit organizations and start-up companies as a fundraiser and administrator. She was Chief Operating Officer at Socos Labs in San Francisco, and currently serves as a Development Consultant and Grant Writer for a number of nonprofits in Chicago and throughout the U.S. including Homeroom, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery and Heidi Duckler Dance. Kelsey is also a freelance professional ballet dancer.

Adam Vida - Grant Administrator
Adam Vida is Co-Director/Managing Director at ESS, and has been at the organization since 2007. He is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, improviser, and producer who has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe with various projects. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of the organization and recording studio, Adam oversees the performance programming and live events at ESS—developing, curating, and coordinating many of the ESS concerts, workshops, exhibits, and performances.

Project Timeline

The project timeline is evolving and dates are subject to change.

2023

Jan: Program launched
May: DCASE Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant awarded
Jun: In-kind legal partner secured
Sep: Steering Committee invitations made; contracts signed
Dec: First of eight bimonthly Committee meetings

2024

Feb: Micro pilot program launched
Apr: Design complete for micro pilot grant program; grants disbursed to Committee members
Jun: Design complete for open grant program; application system designed and developed
Aug: Call for applications announced
Sep: Workshops and information sessions
Oct: Grantees selected
Nov: Grants disbursed
Dec: Analysis, research, and reporting

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Partner with us

We are actively seeking additional financial and nonprofit partners who share our vision for community wealth building.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to kelsey@experimentalsoundstudio.org.

CMCRF