Music Ecosystem

Music ecosystems are vital to a healthy arts and culture sector. They transcend political boundaries and create cultural regions, where exchange and interaction are common. Music has always responded to external forces such as global economic disturbances, pandemics, cultural shifts and social inequality, and contemporary musicians are finding new, creative and impactful ways to make a difference with their craft.

The music ecosystem effort pursued by the Kansas Arts Commission began with a statewide gathering in Lawrence, KS in July 2021. The discussion at that meeting is detailed in an initial report below. The report includes recommendations for future efforts, including a variety of regional and national resources to pursue for next steps. 

Since then, KAC has continued to research music ecosystems, lead convenings, and develop discussions with stakeholders in the music industry, the non-profit arts & culture community, and with public entities at the city and regional levels. This work has included large public gatherings, sector-specific conversations and discussions, attendance at national and international conferences in this field, and many connections with artists and key individuals in the Kansas music ecosystem. KAC continues to direct resources to the effort, with some programs and initiatives seeing early success, while others seek to lay foundations that will have long-lasting effects on the music ecosystem, the economy, and communities that participate in it. 

RESOURCES