I don’t know “how to sell the painting” whether that is a picture or a song.
Even those who were wildly successful at marketing “paintings” at the beginning of the 21st century will tell you that it isn’t easy getting people to pay for music these days.
Even Hollywood is off-shoring movie scores to Eastern European symphonies as they are cheaper to hire.
What used to work doesn’t these days. Bands could make a couple hundred dollars playing a club in the 1960s. Today they will still only make hundreds of dollars at a club.
I do agree that putting an instrument into a person’s hand can have positive impact. I think it helped preserve Louisiana’s music culture (and not just one sound). It used to be compulsory in schools starting in 4th grade, don’t know if it still is.
Here’s some high school students (now grown up) who tell of the impact their school’s teacher and music program had for their lives:
Thunder Soul - Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiodQURIe0M
They believe it kept them on the straight and narrow and they could call him anytime they needed something.
That is great. What you say is all well and good. I hope that is the case with these kids, because let’s face it, the vast majority are not going to make careers in the music industry. Their best hope would be some of the ancillary benefits you mention.