Newport Festivals Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in 2010 to expand the impact of its festivals by supporting music education programs year-round, in Rhode Island and beyond. Founded in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival® was the first jazz festival in America, and has been host to numerous legendary performances by iconic figures and contemporary geniuses. The Newport Folk Festival®, founded in 1959, is considered one of the first modern music festivals in America. For over sixty years, the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals have shown that music has the ability to positively impact the communities and lives it touches. NFF believes every person deserves access to music education, regardless of socioeconomic status. NFF’s ultimate mission is to foster the legacy of its Festivals through educational initiatives that celebrate innovation while preserving the deep traditions inherent in Jazz and Folk Music.