Cedar Rapids Music Census Action Plan looks to support, connect area performers

CEDAR RAPIDS — In its efforts to support the local music scene, the city of Cedar Rapids doesn’t intend to simply play it by ear.

City leaders this week outlined the Cedar Rapids Music Census Action Plan, a planning document aimed at bolstering the local music ecosystem using findings from a recent survey of nearly 500 area music professionals.

The two-phase plan includes a mix of internal city action items, as well as a series of collaborations between area musicians, venue managers and other related partners. It was drafted by music ecosystem firm Sound Music Cities.

“We have a very talented community of artists and musicians here, … but the key now is how do we move the community to the next level,” said Cedar Rapids City Council member Dale Todd. “That’s going to be the call to action that we can discuss more” with this plan.

The action plan builds upon and further outlines recommendations from the Cedar Rapids Music Census that Sound Music Cities conducted last fall. The survey drew 463 responses from music professionals in Linn, Benton and Jones counties.

The city, in collaboration with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, venue management company VenuWorks and the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office, pitched in more than $50,000 combined to fund the project.

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Setting the rhythm

Phase one of the action plan focuses on building the necessary infrastructure to put survey-supported steps into practice.

It includes basics such as identifying a lead city department to support those efforts and continued communication between new and existing partners, as well as the creation of a user-friendly newsletter focused on the Cedar Rapids music scene.

It also calls for a review and potential updates to the city’s regulatory process. According to the music census, 56 percent of area venues and presenters cited regulatory burdens as a major challenge to the local music scene.

Common concerns included issues around unclear permitting, outdated enforcement and/or a lack of city staff with music expertise. That burden could be lessened, the plan states, through a more intentional, collaborative review of city regulations.

“One of the most impactful actions cities can take is streamlining the (regulatory) process,” said Don Pitts, founder of Sound Music Cities. Doing so “can boost live music, strengthen small business and enhance Cedar Rapids as a creative hub.”

Further phase one initiatives include the creation of a time-limited Cedar Rapids Music Task Force composed of professionals from across the music ecosystem to further guide plan implementation.

The task force ideally would be active for nine to 12 months, Pitts said, and will utilize data-informed decision making to further guide and prioritize phase two initiatives.

Phase two highlights: youth engagement, professional development

Phase two action items aim to build upon the infrastructure created during phase one to activate and strengthen the local music ecosystem.

The plan calls for several collaborative investments, including the creation of a Leaders in Cedar Rapids Music program to more directly support mid-career and emerging industry leaders.

Phase two also highlights a need for specific investment into fostering young artists and artists from historically marginalized backgrounds. Of all Music Census respondents, only 4 percent were under the age of 25, and less than 10 percent of all respondents were people of color.

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Council member Ann Poe, whose son is a musician, said she was particularly interested in the steps the city and its partners could take to better support young musicians or performers just entering the local music scene.

“Connectivity between performing artists and venues that are affordable” is key, she remarked. “Getting some sort of synergy built around certain areas where young performers can afford to go in and get in front of people, I think that is going to be really important.”

Other phase two improvements include:

While the plan outlines phase two initiatives, exact timelines and priorities around those action items will be more directly established by the music task force. To stay updated on the project or view full survey results, visit cedarrapidsmusic.com.

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