Salt Lake City, Utah — America woke up to a wave of hope and admiration today as legendary musician David Gilmour, the iconic guitarist and voice of Pink Floyd, announced a breathtaking new humanitarian project: a $150 million partnership to build the nation’s first tuition-free performing arts academy dedicated exclusively to foster youth, runaways, and homeless teens.
The initiative, titled The Kinetic Academy of Dreams, is set to break ground in Salt Lake City in early 2026 and promises to transform not only lives but the very idea of what opportunity looks like for children who have had none. Spread across nearly 100 acres, the campus will feature residential dorms, counseling and wellness centers, a 500-seat theater, world-class music and dance studios, recording facilities, and college-prep classrooms — all provided at no cost to the students.
Turning Pain Into Art
“This isn’t about the spotlight,” Gilmour said during a tearful press conference at the Eccles Theater downtown. “I’ve lived most of my life under that light. But I’ve learned that it means nothing if you can’t share it with those who’ve never had a chance to stand in it. The Kinetic Academy isn’t about me — it’s about them. It’s about giving a home, a voice, and a future to kids who’ve never had a safe place to land.”
The seed of the idea was planted three years ago when Gilmour and his wife, novelist and activist Polly Samson, attended a benefit concert for homeless youth in Los Angeles. A 15-year-old girl stepped onto the stage and, trembling, sang “Wish You Were Here.” Her raw, unpolished voice silenced the crowd. “In that moment,” Gilmour recalled, “I saw myself — not because I shared her past, but because I saw what music can do. Talent doesn’t belong to privilege. It’s universal. But opportunity isn’t — and that’s what needs to change.”
The Meaning of ‘Kinetic’
The academy’s name, The Kinetic Academy of Dreams, reflects the idea of movement — both physical and emotional. It represents transformation, resilience, and the unstoppable energy of human creativity. Students will study music, dance, acting, stagecraft, songwriting, and composition, alongside traditional academics, life skills, and mental health programs.
A dedicated team of counselors and life coaches will support each student through their journey. “Many of these kids carry scars — abandonment, trauma, depression,” Gilmour explained. “If we teach them to perform without teaching them to heal, then we’ve failed them. Art is therapy. It’s survival through expression.”
A Nationwide Ripple Effect
Within hours of the announcement, social media exploded with praise. The hashtag #BrightestLightOf2025 trended worldwide as artists, fans, and leaders celebrated the project.
Elton John wrote, “David has spent his life lighting up the world with his music — now he’s lighting up the hearts of those who need it most.”
Billie Eilish posted, “I wish something like this had existed when I was younger. He’s showing us what real impact looks like.”
Even political figures weighed in. Utah Governor Spencer Cox praised the move as a “transformational gift to the state and to humanity,” pledging to waive property taxes for the campus for 25 years and to integrate the academy’s outreach with Utah’s foster care programs. “This is how you change a system,” the governor said. “Not just with money — but with vision.”
Beyond a School — A Sanctuary
What sets The Kinetic Academy apart is its philosophy that art is not a luxury but a lifeline. The school will operate as both a performing arts academy and a safe residential community, providing shelter, therapy, and mentorship. Every student will have access to individualized education plans, ensuring that academic success goes hand in hand with emotional recovery.
“Our goal isn’t just to train great artists,” said Dr. Mariah Nunez, the academy’s future director and a former Broadway educator. “It’s to help young people rediscover their worth through creativity. When a child writes their first song or takes their first bow on stage, something inside them heals.”
The academy will also host community performances, open art workshops, and annual festivals where students share the stage with guest artists from around the world. “We want the public to witness what transformation looks like when compassion meets creativity,” Nunez added.
Gilmour’s Legacy of Giving Back
This isn’t Gilmour’s first act of generosity. Over the years, he has donated millions from Pink Floyd royalties to humanitarian causes, from homelessness charities in the UK to refugee aid programs in Europe. Yet, this project feels personal — perhaps his most intimate statement since his music first echoed across the decades.
“I’ve played in front of millions,” he said quietly, “but I’ve never played for an audience that needed music more than these kids will. The real concert begins when they pick up the instruments.”
When asked why Salt Lake City, Gilmour smiled. “Because hope belongs everywhere,” he said. “And maybe it’s time to prove that compassion can thrive in places we least expect it.”
A Dream That Moves
Construction for The Kinetic Academy of Dreams will begin in April 2026, with its first class of 200 students expected to arrive by Fall 2027. Applications will be accepted through social service agencies, youth shelters, and nonprofit partners across the U.S.
Already, a coalition of artists and educators has pledged to volunteer as guest mentors. Among them: Yo-Yo Ma, Alicia Keys, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who called the project “a symphony of second chances.”
For Gilmour, it’s not about recognition — it’s about redemption. “The world gave me a stage,” he said, looking out at the audience as the announcement concluded. “Now I’m handing it over. It’s their turn to dream.”
