Łódź, Poland
WORLDWIDE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MUSIC
This course provides a hands-on introduction to worldwide entrepreneurship in music through the lens of peacebuilding. Students will explore principles of nonprofit/NGO creation, grant writing, and intercultural leadership, culminating in a field experience in Łódź, Poland. In partnership with Peace Through Music International (PTMI), students will gain direct experience administering music programs for refugee and marginalized populations, observing NGO operations, and exploring music’s role in peacebuilding and social entrepreneurship. Students will also receive virtual training in PTMI’s music curriculum and will draft a comprehensive proposal for a nonprofit arts organization of their own.
The course is during Spring Semester 2026 and the trip takes place June 27 – July 10, 2026
(Enrollment for this course is now closed. Please contact Dr Erica Glenn for more information.)
Week 1 (Apr 29): Introduction to Global Music Entrepreneurship – Overview of course structure; discussion of global arts leadership and PTMI model.
Week 2 (May 6): Music as a Tool for Peacebuilding – Readings and case studies on intercultural music programs.
Week 3 (May 13): Nonprofit and NGO Foundations – Lecture on nonprofit formation and mission development; case study of PTMI and BYUH collaborations.
Week 4 (May 20): Grant Writing in the Arts – Workshop: identifying funders, writing proposals; submit draft project proposal idea.
Week 5 (May 27): Financial and Logistical Planning – Budgeting, risk management, and project sustainability.
Week 6 (Jun 3): Cross-Cultural Leadership and Ethics – Training on intercultural communication and ethics; virtual session with Liz Shropshire (PTMI).
Week 7 (June 10): Continued virtual training with Liz Shropshire (PTMI). Peer feedback for proposals.
Week 8 (Jun 17): Oral presentations of final proposals with group feedback.
Week 9 (June 24): Pre-Departure Workshop – Health, safety, and cultural preparation.
Weeks 10 and 11 (Jun 27 – Jul 10): Field Study / Experience: Łódź, Poland – Structured instructional hours and hands-on work with PTMI; observe, assist, and lead music programs in refugee settings (40 total contact hours). Daily reflection journals required.
1. Identify and apply principles of arts-based entrepreneurship, including grant writing, organizational design, and nonprofit management.
2. Demonstrate intercultural leadership and teamwork in global and humanitarian settings.
3. Engage in arts-based peacebuilding, recognizing how music can bridge divides and foster community resilience.
4. Design and present a comprehensive proposal for a new music nonprofit, integrating entrepreneurial, financial, and cultural insights.
5. Reflect critically on personal growth, leadership, and intercultural understanding gained through immersive field experience.