Chicago music is an economic engine that must play a role in Chicago's economic recovery
February 12, 2009 by Jim
As the country continues to debate the national stimulus bill and the full Congress moves to vote on it shortly, it is imperative that Chicago’s music community speaks out about the value of Chicago music to the city’s economy. CMC is seeking your help in doing just that. The Mayor and Governor made their priorities in the stimulus bill known and music and music infrastructure are not high on the list. This needs to change.
Chicago’s music community and industry are ready to be part of the solution to the national economic crisis. As has been documented in the CMC-sponsored economic impact study, “Chicago: Music City”, conducted by the University of Chicago’s Cultural Policy Center, and elsewhere, Chicago’s music economy generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and provides jobs for 53,000 people. Moreover, the health of Chicago music community and Chicago music economy affect not just those members of the music industry, but also the city at-large.
This is because Chicago music fosters a “creative class” that improves Chicagoans’ quality of life, increases the attractiveness of the area to businesses and individuals, and generates millions of dollars in tourism and tax revenue. In fact, Chicago music is a leading export in Chicago’s economy.
The fundamental objective of President Obama’s stimulus proposal is to inject money into state and local economies to generate economic growth. By spending a portion of the billions that will be allocated to Chicago on Chicago’s music economy and its creative class, our city will see a ripple effect that generates economic activity for the larger Chicago economy.
Our elected officials must understand the need to support Chicago’s music community by providing more funding during this economic crisis and beyond. Our leaders need to hear from us that the stimulus dollars in the two bills now moving towards a consensus package in Washington must benefit Chicago music.
And locally, we need a policy and legislative environment that encourages our world-class music community to create more music, especially during these tough economic times.
Please contact your elected officials to convey your support Chicago music and your commitment to jump-starting our local and national economy by supporting Chicago’s music community. Please click here locate your elected officials and to send them a message that you know how important the arts are to our economy.
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Hello!
Thank you very much for this article. I couldn’t agree with it more. I have been watching what the Chicago Music Commission has been doing for the past year and I’m glad you are all making strides to make it known that music and entertainment must be at the forefront of the new era that we’re in. I’m originally from Detroit and I can understand what’s being said, because my city needs a lot of help, and not just in the form of bailout money for the big three. I am currently a student at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL studying for my Master’s in Entertainment Business, and I would really like to be involved with the revitalization of both Chicago and Detroit thru music. I honestly believe that the music business can and should be used to help bring our cities back. Again, thanks a lot for the article. Have a great day!