Hamilton Music Strategy

Objective: 

• Link with other major music initiatives, strategies and cities.

Actions:

• Examine the feasibility of "twinning" Hamilton with another major music city.
• Seek funding and alignment opportunities for Hamilton within the Ontario Live Music Strategy.
• Provide Hamilton representation to the Ontario Music Strategy Industry Working Group.
• Assess the resources needed to participate in the proposed provincial music portal and provide content as appropriate.
• Bid to host significant music industry events ie. JUNO Awards.
• Co-ordinate strategic efforts to develop the music industry with neighbouring municipalities.

Objective:

• Build connections within the music scene.

Actions:

• Review options for the industry and/or musicians to formally organize e.g., advisory Music Commission, council, industry association, artist co-operative and network (e.g., Seattle, Washington)

Objective: 

• Embed music in City of Hamilton initiatives.

Actions:

• Provide music industry-related input into the development of the City's 2014-2018 Economic Development Strategy.
• Align with the other key City policies, plans and initiatives e.g., culture plan, events strategy
• Provide input into the review and Development of municipal arts funding models e.g., City of Hamilton's Arts Investment Strategy and Community Partnership Program (CPP) review.
• Includes music programming in local Pan Am Games activities.

Objective: 

• Provide tools to support music business development.

Actions:

• Create a City of Hamilton Music Office in the Tourism & Culture Division, Planning and Economic Development Department.
• Conduct and share research on local music industry (e.g., economic impact, workforce and market).
• Link small music businesses and entrepreneurs to available services such as the City of Hamilton's Small Business Enterprice Centre and cultural service organizations.

Objective: 

• Remove barriers to live music presentation.

Actions:

• Identify and examine City bylaws and regulations that are barriers to the local music industry and mitigrate where possible.

Objective: 

• Brand Hamilton as a music city.

Actions:

• Develop a music-based brand and brand strategy (and marketing plan) for Hamilton Music Strategy.
• Create and/or participate in provincial, regional and local cultural tourism product development and promotion related to music.

Objective:

• Promote local music.

Actions:

• As part of a potential local branding initiative, identify mechanisms and tactics for promoting defined aspects of the local music scene e.g., locals musicians, businesses, performances, events and festivals.
• Adopt a broad and inclusive approach to music with consideration to genre, cultural diversity, and levels of competency in the Music Strategy and its implementation.
• Identify key music districts in Hamilton for branding, destination marketing and business development.

Objective: 

• Promote live music throughout the City. Encourage a diversity of venues for music.

Actions:

• Produce new opportunities for music experiences.
• Complete an industry needs assessment and inventory of venues.
• Develop or facilitate the creation of diverse venues for live music.

Objective: 

• Celebrate Hamilton's music legacy and potential

Actions:

• Support, participate in, and grow locatl to national recognition and celebration initiatives e.g., Hamilton Music Awards, City of Hamilton Art Awards, Tourism Awards, JUNOs.
• Link with City of Hamilton Cultural Plan asset-based initiatives e.g., storytelling project, asset mapping and Love your City.

Objective: 

• Involve youth in the music industry.

Actions:

• Facilitate and promote youth contact with and placements in the music industry.

Objective: 

• Encourage strong music education.

Actions:

• Advocate to, and work with, education providers to expand lifelong music education opportunities.