crea*
Composers for Racial Equality in the Arts
“In the 90s, I was so accustomed to being the only Latina in my honors courses in high school, as was my older brother, I never expected to find many peers nor mentors of a similar cultural background in the music conservatory. I was always in a certain mode of private advocacy, an American-born, multi-cultural, English-speaking mestiza. Despite this, or maybe even because of it, certain white teachers of mine were absolute lifelines, believing in my truth and insisting: “Go. GO. Explore this.” So, yeah, that was serendipitous, leading me to explore Latin America, however clumsily. Nowadays, it’s more possible to find multi-cultural leaders here in the States who can extend a lifeline to emerging artists of color, to the benefit of us all. And that’s beautiful.”
— Gabriela Lena Frank
On the value of mentorship…
Composers for Racial Equality in the Arts (CREA) was established in 2019 by the Academy in response to the lack of access to mentors for emerging composers of color who have shared cultural experiences. CREA Fellows are introduced to a cohort of established composers who have active concert careers and/or hold professorships, receiving lessons both in music and life. Mentors generously share their time and expertise as artists of underrepresented racial demographics. CREA Fellows also receive a commission through the Academy’s Alumni Support Initiative.
• “crea”: The command form of “believe” in Spanish
