ZU Arts InitiativeZU Arts InitiativeLEGACY KEEPER PATRON- SCOTT FARRIS
FIRST MUSICIAN MEMBER- MOE COOLEY
We're building something unprecedented. This page shows what we're creating—we have started accepting Musician Members and Legacy Keepers. Once funding goals are met, we will start this program. This is the beginning.
After 30 years of shows across Montezuma County, you've earned one more. The Musicians Mutual Aid Fund provides $200 monthly—approximately one show's worth—to seasoned musicians who built our cultural landscape.
This isn't welfare for struggling musicians. It's recognition for those who enriched Montezuma County with decades of performances—whether you're still playing or not.
Musicians take care of musicians across generations. After 15-30+ years of contribution to Montezuma County, you've earned one show's worth of recognition—every month, for life.
$200/month for life — Approximately one show's worth of income. Not charity. Not disability. Earned recognition for decades of cultural contribution.
No performance requirement — This honors your past, not your present ability to play.
Permanent dignity — Once you qualify, it's yours forever.
Year One: Supporting 3-4 seasoned musicians who shaped Montezuma County's cultural landscape.
Seasoned Musicians (70+ with 15 years) — Recognition for those who built our music scene.
Distinguished Musicians (Any age with 30+ years) — Lifetime dedication honored regardless of current age.
Working Musicians (Musician Members) — Access to emergency mutual aid while building toward future pension eligibility.
Musicians leading, community supporting — together creating something unprecedented.
To qualify for the Musicians Pension, you must meet ONE of these paths:
If you meet the eligibility requirements, express your interest below. We'll contact you when the program launches.
Pension Application
Thank you for your interest in the Musicians Mutual Aid Fund pension program. This pension provides $200/month for life to musicians who have dedicated 15-30+ years to enriching Montezuma County's cultural landscape.
Launch: We'll begin accepting applications once funding goals are met. Submitting this form now expresses your interest—we'll contact you when the program launches.
Prefer to email? Send your application to grow@cortezarts.org
Democratic governance means musicians have a voice in how the fund operates.
Who serves: Musician Members elect 3-5 fellow musicians to serve on the committee
What they do: Review pension applications, approve mutual aid requests, set fund policies, ensure transparency
Interested in serving? Email grow@cortezarts.org with your background and why you want to serve. Initial committee members will help establish the election process for future terms.
Emergency (under $500): Email grow@cortezarts.org with brief description of need. 24-hour response.
Major hardship ($500-$1,500): Submit request to committee for review. Decision within one week.
REAL EXAMPLES OF MUTUAL AID:
Medical Emergency: $350 for urgent dental work so you can perform this weekend
Vehicle Breakdown: $450 for transmission repair on your gigging vehicle
Stolen Gear: $600 to replace stolen amp before your next shows
Funeral Costs: $800 to help cover memorial expenses for a fellow musician
Housing Crisis: $1,200 to avoid eviction after injury prevents gigging
Lost Income: $400/month for 2 months to cover bills during injury recovery
If you're a Musician Member and life hits hard, we're here. That's what mutual aid means.
Musicians lead. Community supports. Everyone participates at their level.
(Sliding scale $5-14/month available for mutual aid access only - full benefits at $15)
Working musicians building toward their own future while supporting today's seasoned musicians
"For $15/month - two drinks or a sandwich - you get immediate emergency support when hardship strikes AND build toward a pension for your own future."
Community members honoring those who shaped our culture
"These artists gave 30-40 years to Montezuma County. Every wedding, every festival, every dive bar. Your $20/month gives them one show's worth of pay—every month—without having to perform. It's groceries. It's dignity."
Giving Tiers:
$10/month - Supporter: Quarterly updates
$20/month - Standard: All above + monthly updates, annual event
$50/month - Sustainer: All above + thank you call, priority ZU seating
$100+/month - Patron: All above + named recognition, private dinner
"Adopt an Artist" — Sponsor one pension recipient for a year
"For less than your monthly advertising budget, you directly support a musician who shaped Montezuma County's culture AND get unique marketing opportunities. It's good business that does good."
Most gigs in Montezuma County pay $150-250. We chose $200/month because it's honest (one show's worth), practical (covers groceries or utilities), and meaningful (makes a real difference for someone on fixed income). It's not life-changing wealth—it's dignity and recognition.
No. The pension is EARNED recognition for 15-30+ years of cultural contribution. Think of it like Social Security—you earned it through years of work. The difference is Social Security is for traditional jobs, this is for artists who built our community's cultural life.
Yes. We have sliding scale from $5-14/month for immediate mutual aid access. However, voting rights and future pension eligibility require the full $15/month—that's the investment in your own future. Email us at grow@cortezarts.org to discuss your situation.
No. The pension is for PAST contribution, not current inability. If you're 70+ with 15 years, or any age with 30+ years, you're eligible whether you're still performing or fully retired.
No. Needing help in your 30s doesn't disqualify you from pension in your 70s. That's the whole point—we help each other through hard times AND honor long-term contribution.
That's the vision. As more working musicians join and contribute over 15-20 years, they become the next generation of pension recipients while new young musicians join. It becomes a self-sustaining cycle. Community support is crucial for launch, but musicians will ultimately sustain it.
This is something that's never existed in rural America. A mutual aid society where working musicians invest in their own futures while supporting seasoned artists.
Questions? Email grow@cortezarts.org
Accepting Musician Members and Legacy Keepers NOW!