Music at the Intersection, a music festival organized by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, returns for its second edition this September, this time with a unique new accompanying event: INTERSESSIONS, a two-day conference focused on the intersection between art, technology and entrepreneurship. . The walk-in conference, which will take place on September 8 and 9 before the festival weekend, will offer artist development workshops for emerging musicians; four panel discussions led by experts from St. Louis and industry leaders in the world of art and business; and the release of a unique new study on the impact of music on the local economy of St.
Music at the Intersection is a tribute to St. Louis’ rich musical heritage. But the event’s organizers also want to look critically at the current moment and help artists understand how new technology and market forces are changing the nature of artistic production and what they and others in the industry need to know to keep up. .
The One INTERESSIONS panel focuses on the Metaverse’s potential impact on music, art and commerce, featuring Metaverse experts Carol Chainon of JYC Technology and St. Louis Blues Vice. Another focuses on the intersections of art, technology and activism, with insights from artist-activists such as Juan William Chavez and Brock Seals, whose works have explored art’s capacity for social engagement beyond museum walls. Other panels delve into the future of live music and building a career as an independent artist. Panels run in conjunction with workshops on recording, publishing, online sales and merchandising and maximizing YouTube, which focus on skill building and innovation in the music business. Together, organizers hope these panels and workshops will paint a vivid picture of the evolving music economy and prepare not only artists, but also business executives, industry leaders, policymakers, investors and analysts for what’s to come. .
The aim is to generate conversations about the two-way relationship between art and industry: how new technologies and infrastructure have empowered artists, but also how artists and art production can be a catalyst for regional growth. Central to this effort is the presentation of a three-year study on the role of the music industry in the economy of St. Louis, performed by the Kranzberg Foundation for the Arts in partnership with Sound Diplomacy.
“We needed to quantify and qualify that, if used properly, music can be a massive driver of economic development: retaining and attracting jobs, retaining and attracting local celebrities and bringing in more industry, ” says Chris Hansen, executive director of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. .
From tourism appeal to job creation and economic output, this study aims to show the ways in which music is deeply woven into the fabric of the city – insights that can help shape new legislation, programming and investment to support artists and to foster growth for the Region. The study itself is only the first step on the way from theory to practice. The next step? The successful dissemination and application of this data to create innovative, data-driven initiatives, policies and programs.
“After the study is completed, the report will be supported and published to the Regional Arts Commission, which will facilitate meetings with community members, including civic, government and business leaders, who will help guide priorities and investments in the music of our region. industry,” says Hansen.
In addition to systems level change and infrastructure building, the study could also result in direct programming to uplift musicians and artists whose success is integral to the growth of the music sector and related industries. “Artists are creators of solutions that are part of building health and wealth,” says Hansen. “And when you empower an artist and give them more tools and keys to try out their future, they always find a way to give it back.”
CHANGES is free to participate. Register for tickets at musicattheintersection.org, metrotix.comor by phone at 314-534-1111.