Since his undergraduate days at UW–Madison, Cody Goetz (Piano Performance and Spanish ’17) has maintained a focus on community engaged music education opportunities.
“From the first moment I started working with Cody as an undergraduate piano major, I knew that he wanted to make a difference in the world,” Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy Jessica Johnson said. “As a student, Cody was serious about community engagement projects and deeply committed to creating partnerships that were mutually beneficial and meaningful.”
Goetz took the community engagement skills he learned in Madison and applied them to his work as executive director of the Mundi Project, a nonprofit based in Utah that works to actively break down socioeconomic and generational barriers by providing quality music experiences for all.
Last week, Mundi Project made a huge announcement: It is one of 112 organizations nationwide selected to receive an ArtsHERE grant of $130,000 as part of a new pilot program from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the other five U.S. Regional Arts Organizations.
This grant will support the Mundi Project’s two key initiatives: creating a strategic plan and providing professional development. Project 1 involves partnering with a consulting firm to develop a three-year strategic plan, enhancing leadership, operations, service, and community engagement. Project 2 includes comprehensive professional development in community music education, trauma-informed practices, accessibility, and cultural competency for staff, board, teaching artists, and volunteers.
These initiatives will strengthen the organization’s capacity, cultivate an inclusive culture, and improve program delivery to better serve diverse communities.
“It is my firm belief that my educational experience as a Badger helped me flourish in my master’s degree program and also instilled in me a passion for community engaged music education opportunities,” Goetz said. “I am forever grateful for the nurturing music community at UW–Madison. I wanted to express my gratitude for my educational experience at UW–Madison, and how the power of my experience has led me to have early successes in my arts administration career.”
More than 4,000 organizations applied for ArtsHERE funding in late 2023 and early 2024. Applications were reviewed by multiple review panels based on published review criteria, including the applicant’s organizational capacity and their capacity-building project, alignment with ArtsHERE’s commitment to equity, and engagement with historically underserved communities.
“A fine musician and teacher, Cody always believed that music is a powerful way to connect with others and center our humanity,” Johnson said. “His work with the Mundi Project is truly transformative and life-changing for so many people.”
