Global Music Diplomacy Initiative

Music: it gives voice to democratic ideals, to the powerful and the powerless, across borders and beyond barriers, and to generations of citizens – from all walks of life – worldwide.  

Since world renowned composer Aaron Copland headed to South America during World War II and the more widely known Jazz Ambassadors sang scat behind the Iron Curtain from the 1950s through early 1970s, the United States called upon American musicians and artists to use music as a diplomatic tool to promote peace and democracy. Now, the United States is elevating music even further through public-private partnerships with American companies and non-profits, to use music to meet the moment, convey American leadership globally, and create connections with people worldwide.

Men and women of different ages and ethnicities dressed in casual clothes sit on the front porch of an old house in Jackson, Mississippi laughing, clapping and playing music together.

Alexia Webster

A woman wearing an animal print jacket and a headwrap and a woman wearing a dark, patterned short-sleeve blouse sit in front of a window at night playing musical instruments and smiling at one another.

Alexia Webster

A choir of adult men and women from Howard University wearing matching navy blue crewneck sweatshirts that say "Howard Gospel Choir" in white lettering sing to a crowd of young Colombian students dressed in matching white and yellow t-shirts.

A choir of Bolivian men and women stand behind an ensemble of male and female musicians playing stringed instruments inside an ornate church.

A man dressed in a white hoodie, gray sweatpants, and a gray beanie demonstrated a dance move to a group of five children wearing coats outside in the Place de la Concorde on a cloudy day in Paris, France.

Konee Rok

Five men and one woman dressed in casual clothing gather around a table with a black turntable and a white board covered in colorful writing learning about DJing.

New York City, New York, USA

Next Level Global (October 2024). Scratch Academy.

On September 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of State launched the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, which builds on existing music diplomacy efforts and delivers upon on the bipartisan Promoting Peace, Education, and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) Through Music Diplomacy Act that President Biden signed into law last year. This Act called on the Department to use public-private partnerships to support music diplomacy. In addition, at the September 27 launch, the Department announced the first Peace Through Music Award. The award recognizes and honors an American music industry professional, artist, or group, that has played an invaluable role in cross-cultural exchanges and whose musical work advances peace and mutual understanding globally.

Public Diplomacy Exchanges and Programs

American Music Abroad

American Music mentorship program

Arts Envoy

Center Stage

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

NextLevel

OneBeat