An International City of Music!
Recognising the state’s extensive international activity and aspirations, Adelaide City of Music (ACOM) launched an International Mapping Project to better connect with the state’s diverse music community, inform government and sector policy, shape its own resources and strategies, and uncover and celebrate more of our fantastic stories.
Importantly, ACOM developed the initiative in an attempt to better capture and promote the full extent of Adelaide’s international activity and aspirations. Experience shows a city with a vibrant music culture that is internationally engaged and focused. With so many internationally recognised artists, music professionals, and businesses, ACOM wanted to better map and showcase the state’s many accomplishments and pathways and use the findings to develop new strategies to help focus its resources, realise the state’s full potential, and build its reputation as a unique global centre for music.
The report found that Adelaide connects with the world through a raft of industry, government, institutional, and cultural networks and initiatives, festivals, not-for-profits, universities, and often, through the hard work of individuals. With Adelaide’s geographic isolation and finite market, national and international engagement is essential for any artist, music professional, or business looking to develop a sustainable career.
The main findings were the scale at which we already engage the world, the disconnected nature of this engagement and vision, the potential these networks represent, the changing nature of the music industry, and the need for new strategies, resources, and collaboration. Primarily, ACOM found that we had only scratched the surface, and a more in-depth analysis was required.
All data collected throughout the process was qualitative in nature and later collated into the report. Feedback received during the life of the project was used to influence the development of ongoing ACOM projects and strategies.
ACOM acknowledges that the report was limited due to the resources available and therefore only able to scratch the surface. While ensuring that we align and support soon-to-be-released cultural policies, ACOM will expand on the process in 2025 through a series of workshops. These workshops will allow ACOM to continue to engage and broaden understanding and to develop targeted strategies to create opportunities, promote ACOM and the value of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and celebrate SA music culture and the city of music designation in its 10th anniversary year.