MISSION:

The 443 Music Collective is a 501c3 non-profit organization producing extraordinary music events, offering education opportunities, and creating powerful up-close and personal live experiences.

We are a registered public charity on the New York Public Charities Registry. 

TAX ID #: 39-2805107

 

 

We are dedicated to curating unique musical experiences, offering workshops from world-class touring musicians, and bringing our community together in a creative and supportive environment.

The Collective operates in conjunction with the 443 Social Club, a 75-seat listening room-style venue in Syracuse, NY. Our focus at the club is on original, touring artists. We provide space for the powerful magic that happens when talented artists and storytellers meet an attentive and enthusiastic audience.

We don’t ask our artists to compete with TVs, Quick Draw, or pool tables, and we encourage our guests to put down their phones, refrain from talking, and be present in the moment. In an increasingly “connected” online world, we are more DIS-connected than ever from our fellow humans. At the 443, we invite our guests to connect on a deeper level with the artist on stage and the other attendees sharing the experience.

Here’s the catch –

The traditional business model of music venues is almost 100% dependent on alcohol sales – and that model is collapsing as we speak.

The culture around alcohol consumption has changed drastically over the last few years… younger people do not drink the way older generations did, and older generations are more aware of the mental and physical health risks associated with alcohol use. They have reduced their consumption drastically or quit imbibing altogether. Weed is legal and perceived as a healthier buzz. Alcohol sales are cratering at venues all over the country, and venue owners are sounding the alarm.

Unless we want to see independent music venues disappear completely, we need to create a new business model. 

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. 

For some reason – probably because of their close association with alcohol – music venues don’t seem to be in the same category as public libraries, museums, theaters, sports stadiums, and parks. All of these places are publicly funded, but in general, music venues are not.

Why?

Independent music venues contribute to the local economy, YES. Even on the micro level of our small venue, on any given night, we see guests from other counties in NY, other states, and Canada. These people stay in hotels, eat at local restaurants, and spend money locally. Music tourism is a real thing. We also support a dozen other local businesses.

But it’s more than that.

We are not just a tourism driver. We are a community gathering space, a place to connect with other music fans, make new friends, and meet new partners.

We are the places where stories happen, the ones you tell for years –

“You should have been there!!”

We give our communities a place to experience the profound and powerful connection of music and storytelling.

We are the destinations that help give a city or neighborhood its cool factor, that make it a place where talented and engaged people want to live and work. There is no rich arts and entertainment culture without a vibrant music scene.

And – maybe most importantly – music helps to heals our souls when things get heavy, and gives us an escape from the ugly stuff happening outside our doors every single day.

Isn’t that worth supporting?

The 443 is following in the footsteps of other great listening rooms in the Northeast, like Caffe Lena, Club Passim, and The Listening Booth, and turning to a not-for-profit model to keep the music alive.

DONATE

Here at the 443 Music Collective, we are dedicated to curating unique musical experiences, offering workshops from world-class touring musicians, and bringing our community together in a supportive and creative environment.

How you can help power our mission:

1. Donate: Every dollar helps.
2. Share: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and on social media.
3. Volunteer: Your time and skills can make an impact, too.

We appreciate your support, it means the world to us!