Keys for Kids Begins Year Two

Keys for Kids, a charitable initiative established by Ben Folds in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Foundation and the North Carolina Arts Council, is off and running in year two.

Ben credits early exposure to music as a child growing up in Winston-Salem as the impetus for his own creative journey as a professional music artist and created Keys for Kids to enable young people in North Carolina to be similarly inspired.

Launched in 2022, Keys for Kids has established a statewide network of seven arts partners that provide free or affordable access to piano and keyboard education for low-wealth students who might otherwise not have this opportunity. Ben has procured donations of high-quality keyboards for each participating organization and marketing assistance is also offered to help partners raise the visibility of their programs.

In addition to training a new generation of musicians in North Carolina, an overarching goal of Keys for Kids is to help young people access their creativity and sharpen their ability to communicate ideas and emotions. To achieve these goals, partners convene throughout the school year to share best practices and explore new ways to provide transformative learning experiences for students.