GoKawiilMusic is essential economic infrastructure, and cities need someone accountable for growing it. Cities are spending aggressively to compete for economic growth and cultural relevance. They build entertainment districts, recruit employers, subsidize major developments, and launch branding campaigns designed to attract people to them. While governments turn their eyes to more traditional economic sectors, like technology or manufacturing, they are overlooking a key place-based industry that can’t be outsourced: music.
Every American city needs a music office
Why This Matters
The piece argues that music functions as real economic infrastructure—driving tourism, job creation, and cultural branding—yet most city governments lack a dedicated office to manage and grow it. This matters because as cities compete for talent and relevance, treating music as an afterthought rather than a strategic sector means missing out on jobs, revenue, and identity that can't be relocated elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Music is a place-based economic driver that cities are currently underinvesting in compared to tech or manufacturing.
- A dedicated music office could create accountability for growing local music economies, similar to film or tourism offices.
- Cities risk losing cultural relevance and economic opportunity by ignoring music as formal civic infrastructure.
Explore topics:
music office
economic infrastructure
entertainment districts
city branding
cultural relevance
Get alerts for these topics