Monroe Music
A Music Strategy for City of Monroe and Ouachita Parish
Ouachita Parish is rich with music and cultural heritage. Understanding the music economy can support venues, create a pipeline for musicians to grow and network, attract talent, create the best possible audience & artist experience and ensure that Monroe is a destination for all genres and disciplines of music. As Monroe looks to better leverage its wider music and cultural economy, this starts with fully reviewing what it has now and ensuring there is a strategy to fully optimize all sectors of the cultural community.
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5 Steps To A Strategic Plan
Regulatory Assessment & Comparative Analysis
A full analysis of the regulatory framework and programs that exist in and around Monroe which affect the music ecosystem. Includes a literature of relevant strategic documents.
Ecosystem Mapping
An index of music ecosystem assets in Ouachita Parish. Produced using a database built from secondary sources
SWOT Analysis
All data was collated and analysed through the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) technique. This process allows us to compare and contrast findings and think strategically.
Music Ecosystem Economic Impact Assessment
A measure of the direct, indirect, and induced economic impact of the music ecosystem in Ouachita Parish (based on data from 2020)
Stakeholder Engagement
One part was an online survey developed by Sound Diplomacy and the City of Monroe, distributed to local stakeholders (447 responses were included in the final analysis). The other part of this work were the stakeholder roundtables held throughout 2023. These roundtables involved 39 individuals from the region.
Ecnomic Impact
In the case of Ouachita Parish, the music sector generates and supports 2.35% of the local employment, which exceeds the national average contribution of music to national employment (1.66%). However, Oauchita Parish ranks lower than other areas with a strong music industry presence, such as Austin or New Orleans, where the music sector supports 2.55% and 5.37% of the local employment, respectively.
SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS (Internal)
GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
There is already synergy between different arts agencies.
CITY POSITIONING AND MUSIC TOURISM
There are local initiatives to highlight music heritage and the passion of Monroe’s residents.
CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT
Stakeholders agree that the caliber of local artists and musicians is high and diverse.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Faith-based insitutions play a significant role in the oriins of most musicians in Monroe.
MUSIC EDUCATION
The Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) offers a mentoring program for new or emerging music teachers.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
NELAC, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and the OEID offer financial incentives.
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
KEDM Public Radio acts as a major supporter of local music. Music City Studios’ radio station, Roetown Radio, provides greater amplification of local music and events.
WEAKNESSES (External)
CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT
There is no music office/department/specialist, and currently no significant music-related grants.
LICENSING AND REGULATIONS
There is no clear guidance about licensing and permit processes, and there is no city-wide busking policy in Monroe.
CITY POSITIONING AND MUSIC TOURISM
There are music-related tourism efforts but no centralized strategy for music tourism.
CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT
Artists don’t feel they’re getting fair pay from venues for gigs and not all types of genres are being programmed.
INFRASTRUCTURE
55% of the music-related venues in the city typically don’t have the equipment (sound/lighting) required for live music performance.
MUSIC EDUCATION
Education providers are concerned that there is not a unified vision for music education.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
There are no formal music career support or career pathway development opportunities, and here is a lack of business education and knowledge amongst artists.
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
There is a disconnect between how artists view the music scene and how the general public views it.
OPPORTUNITIES (External)
GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Downtown Strategic Plan intends to “identify specific initiatives designed to increase downtown livability, encourage private sector investment and job creation.”
CITY POSITIONING AND MUSIC TOURISM
The Louisiana Festival & Events Recovery Grant (FERG) is available for tourism events.
INFRASTRUCTURE
All stakeholders believe that the Civic Center is under utilized, and there is an opportunity to promote the existing music scene.
MUSIC EDUCATION
The Monroe Symphony Orchestra is keen to develop in-school programs in order to support music curricula.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
KEDM Public Radio is active in building and sustaining partnerships, and NELAC hosts Lunch and Learns as a part of its Arts Entrepreneurial Training Program.
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
60% of survey participants want more cultural attractions in Downtown Monroe.
THREATS (External)
Licensing and Regulations
Post-COVID, bars were given fines and warnings connected to copyright which has discouraged them from playing music – there’s confusion about how to deal with this situation.
Infrastructure
There are no evening or Sunday options for public transport. Monroe Transit offers 11 fixed routes and paratransit services. Services run from Monday through Saturday with the first bus at 6 a.m. and the last at 6:30 p.m.
Music Education
Lack of funding for qualified teachers in schools and resources is causing a major problem. Music teachers tend to leave to work elsewhere.
Professional Development
Ouachita Parish supports fewer jobs than other areas with a strong music industry presence, such as Austin or New Orleans, where the music sector supports 2.55% and 5.37% of the local employment, respectively.
Audience Development
Music associations agreed that there is a general community apathy as audience numbers at events are low.
Mayor's Mixes
Click here to listen to Mayor Friday's curated playlists!
