海角社区

The 海角社区 School of Music is proud to partner with the and fellow community leaders in launching the Baton Rouge Region Music Census, a first-of-its-kind effort to capture the voices, challenges, and opportunities shaping our local music scene.

The Census officially opens Thursday, September 4, 2025 and will remain live through Sunday, September 21, 2025 at .

---

Why the Census Matters

Music is one of Baton Rouge鈥檚 strongest cultural assets. From performers and educators to venues, sound engineers, nonprofits, and beyond, our region鈥檚 music ecosystem is vast and diverse. The Census seeks to understand the realities of this community鈥攚hat鈥檚 working, what鈥檚 challenging, and where new opportunities can emerge.

As Jonathan Grimes, President and CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, explained, the effort depends on hearing directly from those shaping the scene day to day: 鈥淲e need the voices of those who are out there doing the work鈥攇igging, mentoring, producing, rehearsing, recording, teaching. That鈥檚 where the real knowledge lives, and it鈥檚 why we鈥檙e calling on community partners and local ambassadors to help us reach every corner of our music scene.鈥�

For the 海角社区 School of Music, this project connects directly with its mission to prepare students and strengthen Louisiana鈥檚 creative economy. Dr. James L. Byo, Director of the School of Music, noted that this kind of data can help bridge education and opportunity: 鈥淯nderstanding our music community is the first step towards growing it. The Baton Rouge Music Census helps us create more pathways for musicians, educators, and graduates to build lasting careers right here in Baton Rouge.鈥�

Who Should Participate

The Census is open to anyone connected to the music ecosystem in the Greater Baton Rouge region, including:

• Musicians, educators, and students
• Venues, studios, and rehearsal spaces
• Sound engineers, producers, and promoters
• Nonprofits, businesses, and arts organizations
• Contractors, freelancers, and cultural workers

A Regional Effort

The Census is administered by Sound Music Cities and spearheaded locally by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and the City of Baton Rouge. 海角社区 joins a robust slate of community partners including Southern University, the Baton Rouge Symphony, Manship Theatre, Civic Orchestra of Baton Rouge, Raising Cane鈥檚 River Center, Mid City Ballroom, WAFB, the West Baton Rouge Museum, Live After 5, and many more.

Together, these partners are helping ensure that every voice across the 10-parish Baton Rouge region is represented.

How to Take Part

The Census will be available from September 4鈥�21, 2025 at .

We encourage all musicians, educators, venues, and anyone connected to the music ecosystem to complete the survey and share it within their networks. Every response brings Baton Rouge one step closer to a stronger, more connected musical future.