NC Launches Music Friendly Communities Pilot Program Durham Selected as One of Three Pilot Communities - Durham Arts Council and Sonic Pie Productions Partner to Lead Durham Project
Durham, NC – The Durham Arts Council and Sonic Pie Productions are excited to launch the “Music Friendly Communities” program in Durham as one of three North Carolina cities that have been chosen by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to participate during the pilot program’s first year — Durham, Shelby and Elizabeth City. The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is partnering with Hometown Strong and consultancy firm Sound Diplomacy to develop the North Carolina Music Friendly Communities program. In Durham, the project will be led by Durham Arts Council and partner Tess Mangum of Sonic Pie Productions who will together organize and lead the process with a local steering committee of music industry professionals and will coordinate with the Governor’s “Hometown Strong” office, Sound Diplomacy, and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The Music Friendly Communities program is working with these three pilot cities to develop strategies that will help strengthen their music-based economies. In each of the cities, local partners will establish a committee to steer the program work, inventory local assets such as live music venues and music education programs, engage stakeholders, review relevant policies, and identify key recommendations for the most effective and impactful ways to support the local music economy. Sound Diplomacy, an international music policy consultancy and global expert in developing long-term and sustainable music strategies for cities, will help guide each community’s work.
The goal is for each city to be designated a North Carolina Music Friendly Community, certifying their commitment to support and develop the local music industry to boost job creation, tourism, and economic growth. They will join a global community of cities that work to promote and celebrate the music industry as part of their unique local culture and economy.
“Music is universal in North Carolina, regardless of where you live in the state,” said Mary Penny Kelley, director of North Carolina Hometown Strong. “A vibrant music industry can support job creation, attract culturally diverse talent, and enhance tourism across the state. The Music Friendly Communities Program aims to help North Carolina communities leverage their music-related assets for continued economic expansion.” (state press release) https://www.ncdcr.gov/news/press-releases/2022/12/15/north-carolina-launches-music-friendly-communities-pilot-program
“Durham’s talented music community and amazing musical heritage are a driving force in making Durham a vibrant and exciting community,” said Durham Arts Council Executive Director Sherry DeVries. “Durham has numerous Grammy-winning and nominated musical artists, and the many music venues, musicians, songwriters, producers, promoters, educators, events, labels and studios create a diverse, top-caliber music industry in our town that also creates significant economic impact.”
“As a seventh-generation North Carolinian, musician’s daughter and long-time Durham resident, I am very excited to help lead Durham in the pilot year of the Music Friendly Communities program, because this work will boost long-term, sustainable music tourism, creativity, collaboration and commerce,” said Tess Mangum, CEO, Sonic Pie Productions.
The “Music Friendly Communities” pilot program builds on the work of DNCR’s Come Hear NC program, established in 2019 to celebrate, support, and help sustain North Carolinians’ groundbreaking contributions to American music. Over 40,000 North Carolinians currently work in the music industry, and countless more enjoy the art that comes from that work.
About Hometown Strong
Hometown Strong, Governor Roy Cooper’s rural initiative, engages with small towns and communities in all 80 rural counties across the state. Hometown Strong creates a partnership between state agencies and local leaders to champion rural communities. The initiative leverages state and local resources, identifies ongoing projects and community needs, and implements focused plans to boost the economy, improve infrastructure and strengthen NC’s rural hometowns.
Learn more at https://hometownstrong.nc.gov/
About Sound Diplomacy
Sound Diplomacy is a global research and strategy consultancy, committed to building and supporting sustainable ecosystems that bring economic development to people, places and cities. We provide research and recommendations to businesses and policymakers to help them make informed decisions on the best use of places and how to stimulate economic, social and cultural growth.
Learn more at www.sounddiplomacy.com
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, three science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 41 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship.
For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.
About the Durham Arts Council
The Durham Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and local arts agency dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the entire Triangle Region in North Carolina and has served the community since 1954. Each year DAC serves over 400,000 visitors and program participants, over 2,000 artists, and more than 300 arts and cultural organizations through classes, artist residencies, exhibits, festivals, grants programs, technical support, creative economy initiatives, arts advocacy, and information services. Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all the people of our community.
For more information call 919.560.ARTS(2787) or visit our website at www.durhamarts.org;
https://www.facebook.com/DurhamArts/
https://www.instagram.com/durham_arts/
About Sonic Pie Productions
Tess Mangum of Sonic Pie Productions is partnering with Durham Arts Council to help lead the project in Durham. Sonic Pie Productions, LLC, a concert and festival production and curation company, based in Durham, North Carolina was founded in 2013 by Tess Mangum. Sonic Pie Productions is your turn-key source for the best concert and festival curation, consulting, P.A. and stage rental, sound engineers, stage management and event logistics navigation. IG: @sonicpieproductions Twitter: @sonicpieNC
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-mangum-b2a3286a/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sonicpieproductions/?viewAsMember=true