Young Musicians Unite received a $10 million commitment from Daniel Lewis to Arts Access Miami over the next five years. The donation from Lewis will help ensure the organization’s ability to provide music and arts education for all students. Art Access Miami aims to build alliances in music and arts education, identifying and mobilizing arts and music organizations across communities. Spearheaded by Young Musicians Unite and The Miami Foundation in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public School System and leading local music education nonprofit organizations, this initiative seeks to establish a thriving arts education ecosystem for every child in Miami-Dade.
“At the center of Arts Access Miami is the idea of creating alliances; alliances of organizations, schools, and city officials, all of which come together for the sole purpose of creating a better future for every child in Miami-Dade,” says Lewis. “Since 2018, Art Access Miami has collaborated with effective nonprofit leaders, Miami-Dade County Public School System’s Principals, its Superintendent and senior staff, sharing space, instruments, staff development, and the needed data. We are looking for organizations and philanthropy with aligned interests to share information, collaborate and enable more youth to achieve their potential through all Arts working together rather than alone.”
Lewis has shown a deep commitment to philanthropy over the past 19 years, focusing on investing in social and musical arts. He played a pivotal role in initiating the Cleveland Orchestra’s multi-week residency in Miami as the founding chairman of the Miami Music Association. Additionally, Lewis served as the board chair of the Festival of North American Orchestras. He held positions on the executive committee of The Cleveland Orchestra and the board of the League of American Orchestras. More recently, he established and chairs M:X (Miami Experimental) and The Lewis Prize for Music, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to driving social change through musical arts. In addition to these roles, Lewis serves as chairman of The Management Center and sits on the board of Third Way.
“Dan Lewis’ investment is a game changer for arts and music education organizations across Miami,” says Sammy Gonzalez Zeira, CEO of Young Musicians Unite. “His generosity guarantees that every child in Miami Gardens, South Dade and Homestead will now gain access to a free arts and music education with over 50,000 students impacted by 2028. I anticipate that Dan’s vision and commitment will inspire other philanthropic leaders to make similar commitments and investments into Arts Access and will change how communities solve problems through collaboration and a united vision.”
