OneBeat, through its “OneBeat Ghana” initiative, is embarking on a mission to bring together a diverse group of talented young musician entrepreneurs from Ghana, Nigeria, and the United States. This two-week program, led in collaboration with Poetra Asantewa, the founder of Black Girls Glow and an OneBeat alumna, aims to foster stronger local artist communities and creative economies in the region. The overarching goal is to provide innovative solutions to empower artists and their communities for a brighter future.
OneBeat Ghana assembles 11 promising musician entrepreneurs at Stone Lodge in Asutsuare, just outside of Accra, for an intensive 1 1/2-week residency. During this time, the fellows engage in creative exercises and professional development workshops, enabling them to cultivate and develop their independent artist projects through peer-to-peer exchange and mentorship from guest artists. Following the residency, they will travel to Accra to present their work to fellow artists, community leaders, industry experts, and funders at Impact Hub, an organization fostering social innovation. This public event will feature performances, discussions, and presentations from OneBeat Ghana Fellows.
In today’s rapidly evolving music industry, musicians must not only excel as artists but also function as creative entrepreneurs. OneBeat Ghana recognizes the need for systems of support to strengthen artistic communities. Fellows participate in skill shares, discussions, workshops, and creative exercises, working on specific project ideas during the program. The ultimate objective is to develop a pitch or plan for the next steps of their projects, which will be presented in Accra, contributing to the development of innovative artist-led ventures and socially informed projects.
OneBeat Ghana represents a pioneering model of OneBeat Abroad exchange, focusing on creative entrepreneurship and strategies to address the challenges faced by musicians on a global scale. This initiative is made possible with the support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, produced by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation, and with additional support from the U.S. Embassies in Ghana and Nigeria.