The rich cultural heritage and potentially prosperous economic impact of fostering San Antonio's music community has piqued the interest of city officials.
In April, City Council unanimously passed District 7 Councilman Cris Medina's proposal to develop a comprehensive study and strategic plan that would result in the creation of a Live Music and Entertainment Division within the city’s Culture & Creative Development Department. This would consolidate the city's promotion of live music within a single division instead of across various departments.
Medina also asked that the city create a San Antonio Music Commission like that which exists in Austin to advise its City Council on music development issues. The two new entities would work to "increase the number of live music venues in the city, increase music/entertainment/tech industry business and job opportunities, improve area schools' music education programs, and establish procedures to maximize live music and entertainment tourism opportunities."
Councilman Medina secured a chunk of the FY2017 city budget for a contract with music-centric non-profit organization San Antonio Sound Garden. With the $25,000 in designated funds, SASG will study the local music scene, looking to other cities' successes and failures, and ultimately come up with "a comprehensive plan as part of their ongoing effort to develop San Antonio’s untapped music economy."
Does live music have the power to spur economic development in San Antonio? Could San Antonio be the next great American music scene?
Guests:
- Cris Medina, District 7 City Councilman
- Edwin Stephens, founder of San Antonio Sound Garden and front man for the local band fishermen