“It is the artists of this world, the feelers and thinkers, who will ultimately save us, who can articulate, educate, defy, insist, sing, and shout the big dreams. Only the artists can turn the ‘not-yet’ into reality.”

 –Leonard Bernstein, Tanglewood Music Center, 1970–

The call to the feelers and thinkers was at the core of Laurel Canyon in the 60’s and 70’s. The music of Joni Mitchell, the Mamas & the Papas, Neil Young, The Byrds, Jim Morrison and so many other legends created the soundtrack of protest and a call for change. They did this organically. No Internet. No social networks. 

Fifty-plus years later, the issues of racial injustice, war, political division, and corruption still ring true. These challenges have been joined by the mental health crisis, school shootings, and climate change. Not to mention global pandemics.

So while the art created in Laurel Canyon decades ago remains timely, we think it’s time to imagine something new. Something unified. Because during a time of algorithms, clickbait, and noise, we’re more in need of our artists and big dreams than we’ve ever been. But the artists can’t do it alone.

Can a song help solve the climate crisis?
Can a painting heal our hate?
Can a film end school shootings?
Maybe we should find out.

The Laurel Project brings together artists, brands, causes, and thought leaders to align in a unique vision for connection, community, and change. Equal parts digital platform, philanthropy, production company, and think tank, our work is both a commitment to action and a call to create impact with art, awareness, and funds. We will show up when and where we are most needed. 

Imagine a real-life Bat Signal high in the sky.
Only instead of calling Batman…
It’s calling, The Laurel Project. 

How can the lessons of Laurel Canyon in the 60s and 70s be layered with the “way things work” today? How can we use all the technological advances to create new possibilities? New opportunities? What kind of healing can we create? What kind of art? What kind of influence? What kind of impact? Maybe we should find out.

The Laurel Project is designed to answer to the responsibility found in Leonard Bernstein’s words. We will bring together artists, brands, and causes in order to educate, defy, sing, and shout. We will create, unite, dream big, and turn the ‘not yet’ into reality.

Our vision is to find out.