A NOTE FROM NICOLE: INTRODUCTIONS & A NEW CHAPTER FOR SMASH

Dear SMASH Community,

I want to properly introduce myself and say how honored I am to serve as the Executive Director of SMASH and to partner with this incredible community to help local musicians be well and stay well.

For nearly three decades, I've had a front-row seat to the many obstacles musicians face trying to get and/or stay healthy. There is a strange scarcity of resources when it comes to healthcare in this country; musicians in particular encounter significant barriers to access in general, as well as unique stresses and tolls that come with their work.

That’s why SMASH is here. That’s why I am here. And that’s why you are here, too.

One of the things I love most about our music community is the way people show up for each other. But even with incredible backing from donors and generous care from medical providers and partners, we have a waitlist of local musicians needing access to free and low-cost health services that extends out the door and around several corners.

More support is needed to close the gap.

As our partners and supporters, we invite you to join us in one of the following ways this summer:

• Donate. If you’re a community member with a little extra income to spare who wants to help us cover care costs for our members, make a donation on our website.

  
  

• Serve the community as a health services provider. If you’re a health services provider, or have a friend or colleague who is, consider offering SMASH some monthly slots for our musician members to access. Reach out to Member Services and we’ll make it easy-as-pie for you to do this.

  
  

• Show up as a community partner. If you’re a business owner, offer gear, gift cards, or services. Or create a custom item or a signature-something with proceeds supporting musicians’ health through SMASH. Contact me, and I’ll help you make it happen.

  
  

• Build the future with us. If you’re a supporter who wants to introduce yourself and share your thoughts on SMASH programs or musicians' health in general, we’d love to hear from you as we think through how to support more musicians. Reach out to us at SMASH@SMASHSeattle.org, and we’ll set up some time to connect.

SMASH’s next chapter will be written with and for this community. Our collective ingenuity, generosity and compassion have the potential to revolutionize how we take better care of the people who are the beating hearts and creators of our city's culture. So, let’s get to the work in front of us.

In good health and good music,

Nicole Vandenberg

Executive Director, SMASH