Nashville Independent Venues Study
Preserving Nashville's independent music venues
Location:
Nashville, Tennessee
Client:
Research, Advocacy
Services:
Year:
2023 - 2024
Links:
Nashville is renowned for its vibrant music scene, deeply rooted in a community of local creators and music spaces.
It's regarded as the birthplace of country music, but it's truly a home for all genres, including Bluegrass, Rock, Blues, Indie Rock, and more.
Independent music venues (IMVs) have long been at the heart of this musical ecosystem, nurturing emerging talent, fostering community, and contributing to the city's cultural identity.
However, the very existence of these venues has come under threat due to rising costs, gentrification, and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response to these threats, the Nashville Metro Council adopted a resolution (RS2021-927) in May 2021, leading to the launch of a project aimed at preserving and sustaining the city's independent music venues.
This endeavor, a collaboration between the Nashville Metro Planning Department and project partners PennPraxis, VibeLab, and the Culture Shift Team, seeks to comprehensively understand the IMV ecosystem, its challenges, and the aspirations of Nashville's creative community.
Moreover, it aims to propose policy approaches that will safeguard and promote independent music venues and the surrounding businesses and neighbourhoods.
Project Goals:
- Develop a clear definition of "independent music venue."
- Classify and inventory the various types of IMVs in Nashville Metro and the region.
- Articulate the crucial role IMVs play in the music ecosystem.
- Identify specific measures to protect these venues in the long term.
- Detail the threats faced by IMVs.
- Understand the needs and aspirations of the region's creative community.
- Propose policy approaches for preserving and growing IMVs and their associated businesses, neighbourhoods, and districts.
