A row of guitars lined up before a concert at Nationwide Arena. Photo: R. Diamond/Getty Images for VetsAid 2022
Columbus can't just waltz its way to a better music scene ā it needs to start listening to the music makers.
Driving the news: That's the take from Music Columbus, a nonprofit supporting the local music industry that is conducting a "music census" through the end of this month.
Why it matters: Organizers hope the project will give insight on how to attract more industry professionals to the region and help musicians make a living here.
How it works: The online questionnaire is meant for those working professionally as a musician, educator, venue operator or in some other way supporting local music.
- Respondents should be 18 or older and living in Franklin or any of nine surrounding counties.
- The survey closes Nov. 27.
Zoom in: The census asks respondents about their artistic backgrounds, what financial support (such as pandemic relief funds) they've received in the past and what support could be helpful in the future.
- Respondents can suggest professional development opportunities they'd like to see locally, from learning audio engineering to marketing and licensing skills.
The big picture: Music Columbus is administering this census with Sound Music Cities, an artistic advisor that is conducting similar studies in other communities, including Cleveland.
What they're saying: The nonprofit hopes to receive thousands of responses this month and publish the results by early 2024, senior project manager Amy Holihan tells Axios.
- "This has the potential to web out in a lot of different ways," she says, noting the opportunity for new grants and training programs based on what musicians say they want.
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