The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation announced four winners of its Latin Music Research and Preservation Grant program, awarding a total of $20,000 to their projects. 

This program provides grants to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, musicologists, and researchers around the world who are enhancing and preserving Latin music heritage. This year, an eclectic group of institutions and scholars will receive this support. With a maximum value of $5,000 each, the four grants support diverse initiatives. The Research Grants support projects that emphasize historical and anthropological research, in addition to documenting traditions and Latin folklore. Meanwhile, Preservation Grants fund the archiving and preservation of Latin music and its unique customs.

"Research and Preservation Grants play an important role in ensuring the legacy of Latin music and future creators, we are grateful to our donors for their generosity and commitment to advancing Latin music and its heritage," said Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. "Together, we are able to increase our impact and support additionally deserving projects in fulfillment of our mission."

A committee of experts from Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula, and the United States selected the recipients among numerous qualified candidates. Since its inception in 2015, the program has awarded more than $195,000 in grants to support projects, one of which received a Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY Award. 

Continue reading to learn more about this year's deserving recipient projects. 

Awarded Research Grants

Daniel Bustos-Echeverry, Colombia 

Cantos de la amazonía no-visible (Songs of the invisible Amazon) is a musical, ethnographic, and archival research project that seeks to highlight the value of the ceremonial songs, melodies, and verses of Siona women. 

The Siona are an indigenous Amazon community of fewer than 4,000 inhabitants that are at risk of physical and cultural disappearance. The research focuses on the analysis of the Siona’s ceremonial songs, verses, and melodies of Siona women, who have been displaced from leadership in yagé ceremonies. The results will be integrated and distributed in a macro-project within a Fulbright Amazonia research project that will promote the establishment of a path toward preservation of this knowledge. 

Dr. Katrin Lengwinat and Carmen Díaz, Venezuela 

Through the songs and narratives of Latin America’s diverse peoples, the project Nutrir el Futuro de la Música y Narraciones Latinoamericanas (Nourishing the Future of Latin American Music and Narratives) seeks to provide a future of social and emotional well-being, in which love, and a consciousness of cultural identity contribute to subjectivity and interaction. Through research, dynamic performances, recordings, and distributing a curated collection of songs for children and youth up to age 12, it seeks to nurture harmonious psychosocial development — while engaging with communities through workshops, concerts, and digital platforms — to reach a broad audience. 

Rapid technological development has brought about radical changes in all aspects of human life. In an era of rapid technological advancement, Dr. Katrin Lengwinat and Carmen Díaz see a concerning trend toward social isolation and disconnection from one’s cultural heritage. However, they view this as an opportunity to unveil a symbolic legacy that can enrich every individual's expressive and creative potential. Therefore, this project proposes to increase the visibility of artistic heritage, because it contains a cultural wealth that is not widely known among current generations. The exploration and synthesis of the musical and the literary contribute to the reconstruction of broken bonds in families, schools, and communities. Through the creation of alternatives, it is possible to promote increased closeness among people, emotional connectedness, and a unique identity. 

Awarded Preservation Grants

The Celia Cruz Foundation, United States

Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, made a profound mark on music. Her legacy resides not only in her iconic recordings and captivating performances but also in a vast archive of more than 200 hours of behind-the-scenes footage from her early collaborations with the Fania All-Stars and other notable figures. From the 1970s to the 2000s, these recordings offer a unique glimpse into her artistic journey and the vibrant musical scene of the time. 

With the project titled "Digitization of Celia Cruz Recordings, 1970s – Early 2000s," the foundation's mission is to digitize this valuable collection, preserving it for future generations and making it accessible worldwide to fans, historians, and researchers. The project will digitize and preserve approximately 150 to 200 hours of unedited footage of Celia Cruz, comprising 200 VHS tapes from the early 1970s to the 2000s. The preservation transfers will be digitized at the highest resolution possible for archival rate, therefore honoring the legacy of Celia Cruz and preserving her impact on music history.

Javier Soriano, Cuba-France

José Mauri Esteve’s compositions hold immense significance not only for Cuba but also for the broader socio-musical history of Hispanic American societies during the 19th and 20th centuries. Over time, the musical heritage of José Mauri Esteve has faced challenges, resulting in its significant deterioration, and hindering study and performance. 

In response, the restoration project named José Mauri Esteve: Rescate y Restauración de un Patrimonio Musical Hispanoamericano (Jose Mauri Esteve: Rescue and Restoration of a Hispanic American Musical Heritage) has been created to revive and preserve his invaluable contributions to music. This restoration journey includes various steps, including critical editions of Esteve's works, the careful reconstruction of lost or damaged musical material and in-depth analysis of his best-preserved compositions. Through this restoration journey, it plans to honor the legacy of José Mauri Esteve but also reaffirm the significance of his musical contributions to Cuba and the broader Hispanic American musical history. Through preservation and dissemination, it aspires to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of his rich cultural heritage among audiences worldwide.

The Latin Recording Academy Announces the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards Return to Miami

The Latin Recording Academy presented its first Best New Artist Showcase of the year, featuring previous Best New Artist Latin GRAMMY winners Joaquina and Kany García, who is also a five-time Latin GRAMMY winner. The event took place at the Museo de Arte de San Juan in Puerto Rico on June 13.

At just 19, Joaquina has quickly become one of Latin pop’s most exciting rising stars and won the Latin GRAMMY for Best New Artist in 2023. Joaquina’s debut EP, Los Mejores Años — for which she received a second Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Singer-Songwriter Album — demonstrated her special knack for capturing the nuances of teenage angst in a way that was equally catchy and poetic.

Winner of five Latin GRAMMYs — including one in the Best New Artist category in 2008 — Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Kany García has written and performed some of Latin pop's biggest hits, including "Hoy Ya Me Voy," "Alguien," "Duele Menos," and "Para Siempre." She often uses her voice to tell stories of women through her lyrics, and she was honored as a Leading Lady of Entertainment by The Latin Recording Academy in 2022.

"Taking the Best New Artist Showcase series to Puerto Rico for the first time, alongside Joaquina and Kany García, is an exciting opportunity to continue celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMY Awards," said Manuel Abud, CEO, The Latin Recording Academy. "The support of our Presenting Partner Mastercard, and Official Sponsor Rums of Puerto Rico, enables us to continue delivering on our mission to foster the next generation of Latin music makers."

The Best New Artist Showcase series is the centerpiece of the partnership between Mastercard and The Latin Recording Academy. The concept kicked off in November 2022 during Latin GRAMMY Week, and showcases have since been held in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Seville.

"At Mastercard, we understand that music is more than just a sound; it's a passion that unites us all. We are excited to partner with the Latin Recording Academy to continue to connect our cardholders with their passions and create unforgettable experiences for them and their families,” said Pablo Cuarón, Country Manager for Puerto Rico at Mastercard.

The next Best New Artist Showcase will take place later this year. Stay tuned here for more details coming soon.

Rums of Puerto Rico was an official sponsor of the Best New Artist Showcase for the first time and provided rum-inspired cocktails from their portfolio for all attendees.

See photos from the event below:

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Latin GRAMMYs, the Latin Recording Academy presented a Latin GRAMMY Session in Málaga, Spain, on May 16. The evening featured performances by Latin GRAMMY winner Pedro Capó and Latin GRAMMY nominees Omar Montes and Morat, hosted by DJ Pedraza.

Co-financed by the Programa FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027 and the Regional Government of Andalucía, the event took place at the Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta.

As part of The Latin Recording Academy's mission to promote Latin music and build bridges between countries, musical genres, and cultures, Puerto Rican artist Pedro Capó kicked off the evening by performing some of his most beloved songs including "La Fiesta," "Tutu," "Existo," and his hit "Calma," winner of two Latin GRAMMYs, including Song Of The Year. 

Next, Spanish singer Omar Montes, previously nominated in the Best Flamenco Album category, presented a special arrangement of "Pacquiao" — an unreleased song that he will launch soon — and performed a moving and sensitive rendition accompanied onstage by a 12-piece string ensemble. He also sang his latest hit, "La Sevillana," concluding his set with a version of the song "Yo Lo Soñé."

Colombian band Morat closed out the night with a very special performance that got the audience singing along to their greatest hits, including their Latin GRAMMY-nominated songs "No Se Va," "Cómo Te Atreves," "A Dónde Vamos," "En Solo Un Día," and "Acuérdate De Mí," among others.

In attendance were institutional figures such as Francisco de la Torre, Mayor of Málaga, Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Regional Government of Andalucía, and José Francisco Salado Escaño, President of the Regional Government of Málaga. Prominent local figures including Javier Banderas, Chiara, Bárbara Mirjan, Fernando Ramos, Salma and Ana Vera, among others, also joined the celebration.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Paco de Lucía Scholarship, awarded by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

The event was produced by Maracena Moreno and the Latin Recording Academy team led by Ayleen Figueras.

This was the second live event that the Latin Recording Academy has hosted in the Community of Andalucía this year, to continue elevating its culture around the world, with a calendar of events that will extend until 2025. This past April, the city of Cádiz ­hosted the Latin GRAMMY Celebra: Paco de Lucía event.

Keep checking GRAMMY.com, LatinGRAMMY.com and RecordingAcademy.com for exciting news from the Latin Recording Academy in honor of the 25th anniversary!

Key Takeaways From The Recording Academy Roundtable At The 45th Annual Blues Music Awards: From Membership to Submissions

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation announced the third annual Leading Ladies of Entertainment Connect TogetHER mentorship program, in partnership with She Is The Music, a global nonprofit that works to increase the number of women in music.

The mentors of this year’s collaborative program include: Founder of the music and entertainment public relations firm RondenePR, Róndine Alcalá; recording and mixing engineer and Vice President of N.A.R.S Records/Dream Asylum Studios Marcella Araica; Latin GRAMMY winning sound engineer Maria Elisa Ayerbe; Latin GRAMMY winning artist Goyo; Latin GRAMMY winning and GRAMMY nominated singer/songwriter Mon Laferte; Mayna Nevarez, Founder & CEO of Nevarez Communications and Chapter Chair Women in Music Miami; award winning journalist Pamela Silva;GRAMMY-nominated engineer and vocal producer Simone Torres; Latin GRAMMY winning composer Mónica Vélez and SVP Marketing and Promotion at Sony Music Entertainment México Ana Villacorta López. Each mentor will provide one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions with young women who want to follow a career in the music and entertainment industries.

Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of the Mentorship Program, and for the third year, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Connect TogetHER Panel expanded access to these Leading Ladies expertise. Presented by Spotify for Artists, the panel was held on April 15 and moderated by mentees Stephanie Acosta and Valeria Peñaranda, who were in conversation with mentors Róndine Alcalá, Maria Elisa Ayerbe and Mayna Nevarez.

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"Each year the mentorship program continues to evolve, we are grateful for the support of our mentors, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment who generously share their time and expertise to foster the next generation of women in Latin music," said Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. "Together, alongside with She Is The Music, we work towards closing the gender gap within the Latin music industry."

"We are so proud and excited to continue to support and partner with Leading Ladies of Entertainment on our third year of the Connect TogetHER mentorship program," said Alexandra Lioutikoff, Co-Chair of She Is The Music Latin Committee, Group President of Universal Music Publishing for Latin America and U.S. Latin, and Board Member of the Latin Recording Academy. "Each year has given us the incredible opportunity to uplift more women in the industry and provide future generations with the tools to succeed."

The Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative was created by the Latin Recording Academy in 2016 to honor and recognize professional and socially conscious women within the arts and entertainment fields who have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders. 

The Latin Recording Academy Announces Two Major Events in Spain: A Tribute To Paco de Lucía & Latin GRAMMY Session in Málaga