West ANthem

Maximizing the Impact of Music on Cities in Alberta

Project Background

Recognizing the untapped economic benefits of the music industry in our province, and through the report, Fertile Ground, which was commissioned, funded and published by the National Music Centre and the Scotlyn Foundation in 2014, West Anthem was established to help stimulate the growth and sustainability of Alberta’s music industry. Its objectives are to develop a comprehensive understanding of the economic profile of Alberta’s music cluster, to build the business capacity of the music industry, to utilize Alberta’s music industry as a key economic driver and a vehicle for diversification, and to establish and implement a live music strategy for Alberta through venue mapping and audience profiling.

Bird Creatives is grateful to have guided West Anthem through a successful rebrand, economic profile study and content creation project. We’re even more excited that this champion of local music (alongside Alberta Music) has asked us to develop and launch music city strategies for Edmonton, Calgary, and Alberta.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Strategic Development:
- Collaborated with the Government of Alberta, Alberta Music, and the National Music Centre to develop a comprehensive Music City Strategy for Calgary, aimed at boosting the city's creative economy.
Media Launch Event:
- Successfully organized and executed the media launch event for the “Resonant Energies: A Music City Strategy for Calgary” at Mikey’s on 12th, featuring a live performance by local musician Shane Ghostkeeper.
Key Report Release:
- Released the “Resonant Energies” report, detailing how Calgary can transform into a thriving music city, with recommendations for music-friendly policies, infrastructure development, and support for diverse artists.
Collaboration and Community Engagement:
- Engaged with Calgary’s music industry members and supporters, with contributions from key figures like Andrew Mosker (National Music Centre) and Patti Pon (Calgary Arts Development), emphasizing the economic and cultural impact of music on the city.
Toolkit Creation:
- Developed a toolkit to assist rural and small cities in amplifying the impact of music in their communities, demonstrating a commitment to supporting music across Alberta.
Strategic Development:
- Partnered with the Government of Alberta, Alberta Music, and the National Music Centre to create a forward-looking Music City Strategy for Edmonton, focusing on enhancing the city’s night-time economy and cultural vibrancy.
Media Launch Event:
- Organized and led the media launch event for the “Resonant Energies: A Music City Strategy for Edmonton” at River City Revival House, featuring a performance by Métis singer-songwriter Cynthia Hamar.
Key Report Release:
- Launched the “Resonant Energies” report for Edmonton, providing strategic insights and recommendations for supporting music-friendly venue policies, streamlined permitting processes, and dedicated funding for the music industry.
Collaboration and Community Engagement:
- Engaged with Edmonton’s music community and stakeholders, with contributions from Puneeta McBryan (Edmonton Downtown Business Association) and Tyson Boyd (Starlite Room), highlighting the critical role of advocacy in driving policy and infrastructure improvements.
Toolkit Creation:
- Developed a toolkit designed to help rural and small cities leverage music for community and economic development, reflecting a province-wide approach to strengthening Alberta’s music ecosystem.