Kansas Music Cities Together

A statewide cohort strengthening local music ecosystems across Kansas

Kansas Music Cities Together is a year-long, cohort-based program designed to help Kansas communities better understand, connect, and support their local music ecosystems. Led by Sound Music Cities, in collaboration with the Kansas Arts Commission, Kansas Music Cities Together brings together 6 to 8 Kansas communities for shared learning and technical assistance. The program is supported by Movement Musick and is designed to meet communities where they are, supporting local leaders through shared learning, coordination, and practical tools.

Kansas has spent the last several years investing in a deeper understanding of its music ecosystem through research, convenings, and pilot initiatives across the state. That work made it clear that while music activity exists in every community, communities are often working independently, without shared data, shared learning, or clear ways to connect with one another.

Kansas Music Cities Together is the next step. The program connects communities into a statewide cohort so local leaders can learn from one another, share strategies, and build momentum together. The program is designed for communities at different stages and focuses on coordination, not prescriptions, supporting local leaders while strengthening connections across the state.

What Participating Communities Receive

Each participating Kansas community receives:

  • Up to six cohort seats for local leaders and stakeholders

  • A Music Census™ to engage the community and establish shared data

  • Music asset mapping and ecosystem diagnostics

  • Monthly statewide cohort calls focused on peer learning and shared challenges

  • Monthly community-specific coaching calls tailored to local needs

  • Two statewide workshops focused on:

    • Audience development

    • Regional touring and collaboration

  • Three virtual Making Money with Music seminars, focused on practical revenue development for musicians

  • One on-site visit from Sound Music Cities

  • Participation in an in-person cohort meetup aligned with the Somewhere Festival and Conference
    (Travel stipends provided for Kansas communities)

The program emphasizes practical tools, steady progress, and real-world application without overwhelming participants.

Program Timeline

Phase 1: Recruitment and Program Launch | February to March 2026

Communities apply and are selected for the cohort. Local coordinators and cohort participants are onboarded, expectations are established, and the program officially launches.

Phase 2: Census and Community Engagement | April to June 2026
Each participating community launches its Music Census and begins basic asset mapping. Monthly statewide cohort calls and community-specific check-ins focus on engagement, coordination, and identifying early priority areas informed by local participation.

Phase 3: Shared Learning and Program Delivery | July to September 2026
Communities participate in statewide workshops and workforce development seminars delivered at a sustainable pace. Monthly cohort calls and community coaching sessions support shared learning, peer exchange, and practical application across communities.

Phase 4: Action Planning and Transition | October 2026 to February 2027
Each community develops a short, data-informed action plan and designs a pilot project aligned with local priorities and census findings. The cohort transitions from shared learning into local implementation and next steps.

Pilot Project Funding Opportunity

Kansas communities that complete the program will be eligible to apply for up to $5,000 in matching grant funding from the Kansas Arts Commission.

These funds are intended to support small, visible, data-driven pilot projects such as audience initiatives, youth engagement efforts, or regional collaborations. Projects must be matched one-to-one by local or regional partners and informed directly by census insights or cohort learning.