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Cedar Rapids presents results of community-led music census, invites industry summit March 4
Summary
City staff and consultant presented results of a music census that collected more than 450 responses, showed a seasoned local music workforce and identified nine recommendations; a community summit is set for March 4 to develop an action plan.
Jennifer Pratt presented findings from a community-led music census to the Cedar Rapids City Council on Feb. 25, saying the survey ran from September to mid-October and produced just over 450 responses from people active in the local music ecosystem.
The presentation said 72% of respondents identified as music creatives, 8% as venues or presenters, and 20% as industry workers in other capacities; 84% of respondents reported more than 10 years in the industry. Pratt said respondents who reported income in the survey generated roughly $9 million in music-related income. She told council the survey identified nine recommendations for the city to consider and emphasized that the city will prioritize and phase any follow-up actions.
“The purpose is to identify what are those strengths, challenges, and opportunities we have in our local music industry, to really help us support data driven policy making to sustain and grow that ecosystem,” Pratt said. Pratt also said the city contracted with Sound Music Cities of Austin, Texas, to support the effort and that a community summit for participants is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4 to review the report and begin work on an action plan. The full report and dashboard are available at cedarrapidsmusic.com, Pratt said.
Council members thanked staff and volunteers for the work. Council member Todd praised the consultant team and highlighted downtown assets including the Paramount, McGrath, and the Powerhouse, saying those venues form a “trifecta” that drives economic impact. Council member Van Orny and others emphasized prioritizing local musicians in any follow-up so that community voices lead planning and programming. Council member Paul and others noted the need for affordable local performance opportunities for developing artists.
Pratt said the survey showed venues are struggling with rising talent and marketing costs and post‑COVID attendance shifts and that 73% of respondents said they do not participate in a professional industry organization. She urged community partners to participate in the March 4 summit to shape an action plan. The mayor and council expressed support for the initiative and for making the report widely available.
The council did not take a formal vote on policy at the Feb. 25 meeting; the presentation was informational and council members directed staff to continue outreach and planning ahead of the March 4 summit.
The reporting dashboard and full census report remain online for public review; Pratt encouraged musicians, venues and other industry participants to register for the March 4 community summit.
