By Nompumelelo Damba
Music is said to be our universal language hence it must be recognized for its potential to transform the city of Bulawayo, which is regarded as the cultural hub.
Music is one of the biggest industries in the world. According to Goldman Saachs research the industry will generate more than $131 billion by 2030.
Key Strategies for Bulawayo to become a music city and these are drawn from a report, The Mastering of a Music City, by global music industry body, IFPI’
- Creating friendly policies
Just like any other music success stories the city of Kings and Queens has an opportunity to create a viable music industry by creating an environment that enables musicians to flourish.
This can be best achieved through easy access to music hubs
According to the former Billboard executive editor Robert Levine earning a living as an artists has never been easy
“ It has never been easier to distribute a creative work. At the same time, it’s never been harder to get paid for it,” notes Levine.
Professional development for musicians not only help artists develop the skills they need to run their business and careers, they also make a municipality more music-friendly.
- Establishing a music office
Some cities have established a music office or officer to act as a single point of contact between municipal authorities and the music community. For example, the Seattle Office of Film + Music in the USA
- Establishing a music advisory board
Music advisory boards make it possible to road test proposals with key stakeholders before approval by City Hall.
- Availing spaces and places
Music needs a home, from education to rehearsal to recording to performance; a successful music city needs a variety of quality spaces and places. For Bulawayo it is easier because they do not necessary need new buildings but the local authorities can find innovative ways of renovating abandoned movie theatres and other creative centers and also repurpose industrial building that have been turned into churches.
- Engaging the business community
Working with multiple small and medium businesses, each playing a different role and often only working part-time in music. This collaboration will significantly improves the chances of developing effective regulatory and business environments that allow music economy to thrive in the city.
- Supporting audience development
One of the weaknesses that Bulawayo is faced with is that the audiences are not 100% receptive to their own local artist. Any successful music economy needs a receptive and engaged audience.
The main purpose of this article is to help Bulawayo to realize that music drives economic value a vibrant music economy drives value for cities in several important ways. It fuels job creation, economic growth, tourism development and artistic growth, and strengthens a city’s brand.
NUST JOURNAL-ZW 