Tools & Resources
In this section you will find original research, valuable data from our experts in the field, musician-activism case studies and sample documents and contracts requested by our network. Please contact us info@atctower.net if you have any questions or require further resources.
ATC’s 2011 MUSIC & ACTIVISM HANDBOOK
A 100+ page resource containing dozens of tools and strategies, issue briefs, and information about key organizations and campaigns including tips on being interviewed about an issue, how to engage in policy making, creative ways to raise funds for a cause, strategic routing of tours in election years, online and mobile best practices, and much more. Download your digital version here: http://bit.ly/eInWKR
SPOTLIGHTS:
SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM: DIRECTLY ENGAGING CORPORATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL JUSTICE & HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
A guide to shareholder activism including examples of how artists have used stock ownership to influence corporate behavior on social justice and environmental issues of concern with some of the largest corporations in the world.
By ATC (posted 11/07/2011; pdf – 115 KB)
CALL TO ACTION MUSIC VIDEOS
Current research shows that the numbers of Americans who are watching and sharing videos online via sites like YouTube and Vimeo has more than doubled over the last 5 years to a whopping 71 percent. Here are some of the ways that artists are using call-to-action music videos to raise awareness and monetary funds for an issue or organization.
By ATC (posted 10/29/2011; pdf – 153 MB)
CREATIVE WAYS TO RAISE MONEY FOR A CAUSE
Many musicians want to help raise money for the causes and issues that they care about. ATC has documented some creative and successful ways musicians have done so in the past.
By ATC (posted 03/01/2010; pdf – 142 KB)
EXAMPLES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON TICKET SURCHARGES
Spotlight on several effective examples of the many ways artists use ticket surcharges to raise money for the cause(s) they care about.
By ATC (posted 03/01/2010; pdf – 130 KB)
BEST PRACTICES IN CAUSE RELATED CONTENT ON BAND WEBSITES
A set of mini-case studies that includes tactics to successfully leverage a band’s website to educate fans about issues or engage them in the cause.
By ATC (Posted: 03/01/2010; pdf – 125 KB)
TOOLKITS & RESOURCES:
ATC’S RECOMMENDED NONPROFITS FOR 2011 HOLIDAY GIVING
A list of ATC’s recommended nonprofits that are working on lead issues to consider for the 2011 holiday giving season.
By ATC (Posted: 12/08/2011; pdf – 134 KB)
SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS RAISING MONEY FOR CAUSES
Information on how ATC partners with artists to raise money for a cause.
By ATC (Posted: 8/10/2011; pdf – 129 KB)
ATC’S GO GREEN MOBILE WEB APP TOOL
Information about Go Green: ATC’s free web mobile app that helps reduce carbon emissions by incentivizing fans to get to shows using public transit, carpooling or biking. It also collects valuable fan data for bands to build their email and mobile lists.
By ATC (Posted: 8/10/2011; pdf – 1 MB)
ACTIVISM ADVICE FROM OTHER MUSICIANS
Becoming a great musician takes time and practice. The same is true about becoming a great activist. Contains lesson learned from other musicians that can help make artist-activism more effective.
By ATC (Posted: 7/10/2011; pdf – 117 KB)
HOW TO CREATE SOCIAL GOOD USING SOCIAL MEDIA
Valuable tips for creatively and strategically using social networks to mobilize fans while gaining a lot of attention for cause-related efforts.
By ATC (Posted: 7/10/2011; pdf – 1.1 MB)
RAISING FUNDS FOR CHARITY: PROCESS AND CHECKLIST
A guide to the legal considerations involved in bands raising money for charities and how ATC can help.
By ATC (Posted: 11/10/2010; pdf – 144 KB)
HOW MUSICIANS CAN BE INVOLVED IN PUBLIC POLICY
In a policy sphere overrun by corporate interests, advocacy groups, grassroots organizations and labor unions, artists have a unique and untapped potential to help drive social justice policy.
By ATC (Posted: 03/01/2010; pdf – 121 KB)
INTERVIEW PREPARATIONS FOR MUSICIAN ACTIVISTS
A set of guidelines and advice prepared for ATC by publicists who have worked successfully with bands on many issues.
By ATC (posted 03/01/2010; pdf – 116 KB)
SUSTAINABLE TOURING & BETTER PRACTICES
A quick and prioritized list of how to make tours more environmentally sustainable based on the collective knowledge of the field.
By ATC (posted 05/07/2009; pdf – 138 KB)
CREATIVE WAYS TO WORK WITH AN ORGANIZATION (W/ WHATEVER AMOUNT OF TIME A MUSICIAN CAN SPARE)
Examples of effective strategies for working with organizations based on the amount of time an artist may have to work on a particular project (in order from lowest time commitment to the highest).
By ATC (posted 03/01/2010; pdf – 150 KB)
RECOMMENDED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON LEAD ISSUES
A quick summary of organizations doing good work on a range of issues artists care about.
By ATC (posted 03/01/2010; pdf – 452 KB)
QUESTIONS FOR MUSICIANS EVALUATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
A list of questions for artists evaluating new opportunities and and is part of an ongoing research project related to artist-focused activism and philanthropy. It is intended to help musicians think through opportunities such as benefit concerts or partnerships with nonprofits.
By ATC and Arabella Advisors (posted 03/01/2010; pdf – 157 KB)
SAMPLE ORGANIZATION QUESTIONNAIRE
A template questionnaire for musicians and managers to use to help determine if an artist/band is able to participate in an event or project.
By ATC (posted 03/01/2010; pdf – 138 KB)
SAMPLE CONTRACT/RIDER FOR BENEFITS AND RALLIES
A sample contract/rider for musicians and managers to give to organizations producing events that they want to play.
By ATC (posted 2009; pdf – 158 KB)
REPORTS & RESEARCH:
CITIZENS UNITED SUPREME COURT RULING: MEMO FOR MUSICIANS WHO WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR OR AGAINST CANDIDATES
A memo detailing the January 2010 Supreme Court ruling (referred to as “Citizens United”) that changed election law and regulations for all corporations, including musicians, concert promoters, record labels and other music corporations.
By ATC (Posted: 02/02/2010; pdf – 145 KB)
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FIELD: MOBILE STRATEGIES TO ENGAGE NEW AUDIENCES
Results from an experiment that sought to engage audiences in music and activism through mobile technologies.
By ATC and Revolution Messaging (posted 09/15/2010; pdf – 787 KB)
RESEARCH CONFIRMS THE POWER OF MUSIC
Music inspires us to think differently about the world. More recently, the power of music is being documented in market and academic research.
By ATC (posted 04/17/2009; pdf – 1.1 MB)
ISSUE PRIMERS:
MUSIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS: RECOMMENDED ORGANIZATIONS
Despite the evidence of the benefits of music education, music classes continue to be cut from
curriculums across the country. Many of you have asked how you can help. This document contains a
list of organizations working broadly on this issue.
By ATC (posted 1/28/2011; pdf – 123 KB)
MUSIC EDUCATION IN LOS ANGELES: RECOMMENDED ORGANIZATIONS
Despite the evidence of the benefits of music education, budget cuts to music in LAʼs schools is
astronomical. There are worthy nonprofits that are working locally in LA to fill in the gaps.
By ATC (posted 1/28/2011; pdf – 127 KB)
CASE STUDIES:
HOW ATC HELPS MUSICIANS CONNECT TO ADVOCACY: OK GO CASE STUDY
By ATC (posted 05/07/2011; pdf – 2 MB)
RISE AGAINST RADIO PROMO: TURNING AWKWARD “MEET + GREETS” WITH FANS INTO MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY EFFORTS
By ATC (posted 05/07/2011; pdf – 127 KB)
CASE STUDY: TIBETAN FREEDOM CONCERTS – BUILDING MOVEMENTS THROUGH CULTURAL ORGANIZING
By ATC (posted 05/07/2011; pdf – 808 KB)
ARCHIVES:
2010 MIDTERM ELECTIONS: GET OUT THE VOTE & WHAT ARTISTS CAN DO
By ATC and HeadCount (posted 08/31/2010; pdf – 349 KB)
ATCʼS RECOMMENDED NONPROFITS FOR 2010 HOLIDAY GIVING
List of ATCʼs recommended nonprofits that are working on lead issues to consider for the 2010 holiday giving season. Please let us know if you have any questions. Happy Holidays from the ATC staff!
By ATC (posted 12/04/2010; pdf – 164 KB)
