Chattanooga Music Census

About the Chattanooga Music Census

The 2022 Chattanooga Music Census was a community-led initiative to gain a better understanding of the current needs of the Chattanooga-area music community. The Census captured key information about the Chattanooga-area music economy aimed at helping the city and community to make more informed, data-driven decisions to support the music ecosystem. This initiative was led by ArtsBuild, City of Chattanooga, and Chattanooga Tourism Company, City of Chattanooga, through a grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation. The Census was administered by Sound Music Cities, a leading provider of music ecosystem studies and music census work.

What's next for the Chattanooga Music Census?

The work of the Chattanooga Music Census Framework continues through you! Over the last several months, we have gathered additional feedback from the music community to identify key focus areas to continue the collective work of making music happen in Chattanooga. This insight, along with the Chattanooga Music Census data, informed the development of the Chattanooga Music Census Framework. The goal of this document is to serve as a guide for actions that support the focus areas identified by partners and the music community.

Get Involved!

1. Educate- Familiarize yourself with the Chattanooga Music Census Data and Framework
2. Commit - Ensure your current and future work aligns with the Chattanooga Music Census data and framework
3. Collaborate- Partner with other organizations or individuals to create or continue efforts to support the Chattanooga Music Census Framework and community focus areas. 
4. Promote- How is your organization making data-driven decisions? Tie back to the Chattanooga Music Census data in public releases and communications about your efforts.

Learn More About the Chattanooga Music Census

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this data being collected?

Music community leaders here in Chattanooga and around the world have identified the importance of having measurable information about people who do music related work to provide them with better support. The results of this census will be made available to the thousands of music industry professionals, nonprofits, and government agencies in our area, as well as to the countless music patrons and consumers who are the lifeblood of our music ecosystem. 

What kind of questions are being asked?

The census asks questions specific to the realities of music workers, including general information about their demographics and occupation types as well as their perspective on issues such as diversity, equity, and belonging. There are no questions in this census about personal or business income.

I value my privacy. Will the answers I provide really remain anonymous?

Yes. The census does not collect any personal identifiers or IP addresses. Any individual responses highlighted in the published results will be attributed as “Census Respondent.”

How long will it take to fill out the census?

From 10-20 minutes, depending on your respondent category. (Creative, Venue owner, or Industry) and whether you type in lengthy comments. 13 minutes is the average time spent on the census.

Who is eligible to participate in the census?

Those working in the music industry in ANY capacity who are 18 years or older and living in the Chattanooga MSA. (Hamilton, Marion, and Sequatchie counties and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties from NW Georgia)

I’m not sure that I qualify as a professional. Should I still participate?

You should participate in the census if you contribute any type of music-related work, with or without compensation, and you believe your skills and commitment are worthy of acknowledgment and support. This includes part-time work, rarely paid work or volunteer work, and work that is more administrative than creative.

How do I fill out the census if I have two different jobs in music, or own two or more music businesses?

To keep the data analysis manageable, we must limit the census to one entry per person, which means you must select one primary identity (creative, venue owner, or industry). That said, we know that most music people work in more than one area, so you will also have an opportunity within the census to provide info on work you do in other identity categories.

Do I have to take the census on a desktop computer?

No. You can use a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Note that if you wish to leave and finish your response later, you will need to use the same device.

When will the results be released publicly?

Currently the plans are to release the data through a series of infographics in early 2023.