About Us
SYC Development Initiative, is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the development of original and inclusive new works. Our mission is to provide time, space and funding to further new projects while also providing a living wage to both the creative and artistic teams. True equity and inclusivity in the arts starts by funding equal access to opportunity. By providing competitive wages, SYCDI opens the door for all artists to dedicate their time to creating new works.
SYC Development Initiative residencies, development workshops, and project grants create a space where all can focus on the art and not the bills.
Whenever possible, SYCDI will partner with other nonprofits to fulfill the needs of each new project. True collaboration begins with community.
Current Development Projects
BLUDLINE – A Hip Hop Odyssey
Written by Fermin Suero, Jr. and Pete White
Check Out BLUDLINE: the mixtape On Spotify!
An EP Recording of EPIC Proportion
SYC Development Initiative is proud to support the EP recording of BLUDLINE: A Hip Hop Odyssey, a new contemporary reimagining of Homer’s epic poem. Written by Fermin Suero, Jr. and Pete White, recent winners of the prestigious Richard Rogers Award, the SYCDI grant assisted the creative team in paying a living wage for all involved in the recording of a promotional EP in advance of a developmental reading and future production.
Odysseus Reimagined
Suero and White agreed that Odysseus, known for his verbal dexterity and bravado, seemed destined to be portrayed as a rapper. The angle they felt most drawn to in adapting The Odyssey was to focus on his son Telemachus, and what it was like for him to grow up with his father being a larger-than-life hero, but not present. BLUDLINE explores the themes of toxic masculinity and how it gets passed down through generations as well as the dynamics behind the tragically endless cycle of wars that have continued for thousands of years.
Él y Ella
SYCDI is proud to provide financial support for the development of the new musical Él y Ella by Florencia Cuenca, Jaime Lozano and Adrian Alea.
Él y Ella follows two Mexican artists navigating love, ambition, and identity across time, memory, and geography.
Continuing an already rich development journey including residencies at Guild Hall, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, and Rhinebeck Writers’ Retreat, the writers will travel to The Drama Club Camp in Maine along with musicians and actors to deepen the piece through a collaborative development process. An SYC Development Initiative grant will ensure that all involved are provided a living wage in addition to the generous contribution of The Drama Club providing rehearsal space, development time, housing and meals.
Turn Passion Into Possibility
Collaborate with SYC Development Initiative
True equity and inclusivity in the arts starts by funding equal access to opportunity. Your tax-deductible contribution supports development workshops, residencies, and incubation labs where creative and artistic teams can focus on the art and not on paying the bills.
SYC Development Initiative is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
Federal Tax ID 88-4281815
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