Frequently Asked Questions

  • Equal Access is open to underrepresented artists and managers working in or adjacent to country music.  When we refer to “underrepresented” or “historically excluded”, we mean Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and Women working in Country Music.   Because of the amount of partner meetings we do each month, we ask that folks live in or around Nashville for the year of the program. 

  • Typically applications will open in November of each year, and close in December.  A review board will review the applications in January, with decisions made and everyone notified in February.   The program will run March - December. 

  • Typically applications will open in November of each year, and close in December.  A review board will review the applications in January, with decisions made and everyone notified in February.   The program will run March - December. 

  • YES.  Please do!  Several of our cohort members applied more than once before being selected.  Seeing growth in the industry between applications definitely helps your case.

  • We are looking for applicants who are already established in their field, but need our help reaching the next level.  If you’ve never released music, or never worked in management, this may not yet be the time to apply. 

    Additionally, because we do multiple meetings with industry partners each month, we ask that you live in or near Nashville while in our program.  

    For artists: this program is specifically for those releasing music in the country or country adjacent (Folk, Americana, etc) genres.  

    For managers, its ok if you aren’t currently working in Country Music, but you must have a desire to start working in the genre.

  • Everyone in our program will receive:

    • Funding to grow their business

    • Have dedicated staff from mtheory to create bespoke plans for marketing, budgeting, strategy, digital services, touring and more.

    • Get to attend at least 2 partner events per month with industry leaders, resulting in over 100+ new industry contacts. 

    • You will also get to meet and interact with past cohort members, helping to grow your music community. 

  • Typically applications will open in November of each year, and close in December.  A review board will review the applications in January, with decisions made and everyone notified in February.   The program will run March - December. 

  • The decision was largely made due a change in our funding.  We didn’t want to bring in a  new cohort if we couldn’t give them funding, and as of the end of 2025, we didn’t have those resources to pass on.   Additionally, as it would have been our 5th cohort, we realized it was a great time to reinvest our time in previous participants.   We realized there was a knowledge gap for the managers that we could help with, and that several of the past artists could benefit from more support.  The hope is that we will come back in 2027 with the original funding model, while still incorporating the expanded manager support we established in 2026.   

  • That is the plan!  It is still TBD exactly how it will look, but the hope is that we will come back in 2027 with the original funding model.

  • Equal Access focuses on actionable support, not performative inclusion. We combine financial investment with mentorship, education, and real industry access — all designed to create lasting career impact.

  • While we are not a 501c3, Equal Access is a fiscally sponsored project of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations are still tax-deductible through this model.

    • You can make a direct donation HERE via our fiscal sponsor, The Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville.   It takes financial resources for us to be able to support others. 

    • If you’re a touring artist, you can use Plus 1 and / or Propeller to support us on tour.  No cost to you, a $1 add on to ticket prices that creates a pool of money you can donate.  In addition to us, you can also support other nonprofits you care about! 

    • You can use Pledge to support us via your Shopify stores.

    • You can use Benevity to support us via your corporate matching programs.  

    • We are also set up with Giving Matters via Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, in case any of your Foundations would like to donate to us. 

    • Buy a shirt HERE. 

    • If you’d like to come on as a corporate sponsor of our program, please email our Executive Director, Tiffany Provenzano, and tiffany@mtheory.com.   Please also see our sponsorship deck HERE. 

    • Join our newsletter HERE. 

    • Follow us on Instagram HERE to help us expand our reach. 

    • Follow everyone from our program on Instagram.  As much as we wish follower count didn’t matter, it does. 

    • Buy music from the artists in our program! 

    • Buy tickets to shows!  The ones we put on, and from the artists directly when they’re touring. 

  • Equal Access is an mtheory initiative.   While we operate essentially as their independent nonprofit arm, all of the staff supporting Equal Access are mtheory employees.   Equal Access was created by mtheory CEO Cameo Carlson, with support from Leslie Fram at CMT. 

  • While Equal Access is not a 501c3, we are a fiscally sponsored project of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Meaning donations to us are still tax-deductible through this model. 

  • While we can’t give out the personal contact information for any of our participants, you are welcome to email our Executive Director, Tiffany Provenzano, at tiffany@mtheory.com and she can pass along your request. 

  • While the program is just for those in Country Music, folks from any genre or location or walk of life are welcome to support our work of changing the industry.