The Central Okanagan Music Strategy (COMS) has been released and now it’s time to execute!
See / download the full report below:
February 3, 2022 – News Release
Developed over the last two years, this community-driven strategy sets out to advance the sustainability of the music industry in the Central Okanagan. The Strategy focuses on how to support spaces, audiences, artists and partnerships. Creative Okanagan is taking a leadership role in the COMS implementation and is looking for volunteers. There are two ways to contribute:
- The Music Action Committee (MAC) is an action oriented group committed to implementing the music strategy; or
- The Music Advisory Group (MAG) is intended to support the MAC by providing guidance, expertise and outreach.
“We are very eager to get started with the implementation process for this strategy and to gather a team of community members to support the local music industry,” says Craig Siemens, Chair of the Leadership Ensemble heading this project. “We hope to continue moving forward with the community’s support to really get down to achieving what the Strategy has set out for us.”
Individuals residing in the Central Okanagan are encouraged to contact us by filling out a brief form outlining their connection to music. We encourage community members from a diversity of backgrounds to get involved. More information on engagement opportunities is available on the Creative Okanagan website. Volunteer Interest Forms will be accepted until March 1st, 2022 at noon PST.
The Leadership Ensemble with support from the Creative Okanagan Board of Directors will review all forms and contact everyone interested within the month of March. Please review the Terms of Reference for each of the volunteer opportunities before submitting a Volunteer Interest Form.
January 2021
The composing phase of developing a music strategy for the Central Okanagan was completed in January 2021. Thank you to the 1200+ people who participated in our community engagement! The Industry Profile and Public Engagement Summary has been completed! To read more download the full report or the Executive Summary
The virtual summit was a success! The summit:
- Ran April 8 – May 6, 2021
- 36 facilitators, panelists participated in conversations about key findings from the initial public engagement
- 116 participants engaged over the course of the summit
- Two virtual networking sessions with over 70 participants
- Gathered data to support the development of the Central Okanagan Music Strategy
Why have a Music Strategy?
The purpose of the Music Strategy is to advance the sustainability of the music industry in the Central Okanagan through:
- Connecting people with similar interests, towards collective action;
- Developing community support toward music;
- Increasing support to live music;
- Creating an understanding of the current music landscape; and
- Setting priorities for the future development of music in the Central Okanagan.
Project Progress
The process to develop the Music Strategy spanned two years and follow the timeline below. A Music Summit was held in 2021 to support the production of the strategy.
Creative Okanagan, in partnership with a group of community stakeholders (Leadership Ensemble), is leading the process of developing a Central Okanagan Music Strategy. This strategy will advance the sustainability of the music industry in our region.
The Leadership Ensemble is working with a group of community members with a variety of expertise in the music industry who are the Advisory Group.
This project is priority initiative identified in the City of Kelowna 2020-2025 Cultural Plan.
Staying up to date with the Central Okanagan Music Strategy project by registering for our e-newsletters.
Meet the Team
Creative Okanagan, in partnership with a group of community stakeholders (Leadership Ensemble), is leading the process of developing a Central Okanagan Music Strategy. This strategy will advance the sustainability of the music industry in our region.
The Leadership Ensemble is working with a group of fifteen like-minded community members with a variety of expertise in the music industry who are the Advisory Group.
Interested in learning more about the team? Check out each of their bios.
Thank you to our funders! This project has been made possible in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada, and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.” , “Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce à FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada, et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.”
November 30, 2021
The Central Okanagan Music Strategy is complete! The full strategy can be downloaded here. The official launch took place November 30, 2021 in Kelowna with live music, presentations and a small gathering of community stakeholders. Watch for additional launch events in Lake Country and West Kelowna in early 2022!
The Central Okanagan Music Strategy is made possible by:
