Switch Wicked and MHK Music Network are seeking additional organizations, businesses, and individuals to serve as Community Partners in the upcoming Manhattan Music Census, an effort designed to better understand the current needs, challenges, and opportunities within Manhattan’s music ecosystem.

Developed by Sound Music Cities, the Manhattan Music Census will launch in the coming weeks. The online survey will gather information from musicians, venues, presenters, music businesses, educators, creative service providers, and others who contribute to the local music community.

Once complete, the Census will provide a clearer picture of the people, businesses, venues, and organizations that make up Manhattan’s music ecosystem. The process also helps strengthen connections across the community, creating opportunities for future collaboration and helping local leaders identify community-driven solutions to shared challenges.

Community Partners play a critical role by helping spread the word through their networks and encouraging participation from the communities they serve. Anyone interested in supporting the effort is encouraged to get involved.

"Manhattan has a creative spirit that shows up in venues, coffee shops, festivals, songwriter circles, and countless other places where people gather around music," said Dane Meloan, Switch Wicked. "The Music Census gives us a chance to better understand the people who make that possible and identify ways to support them moving forward."

Communities that have completed Music Censuses have used the results to identify opportunities ranging from workforce development and entrepreneurship programs to community-building initiatives, improvements in permitting processes, musician support services, and stronger connections between artists, venues, businesses, and local government.

"The goal isn't simply to collect data," said Brendan Henault, MHK Music Network. "The goal is to listen. The Census helps us understand what is working, where the gaps are, and where our community sees the greatest opportunities for growth."

The survey is open to anyone 18 years of age or older who participates in Manhattan's music community in any capacity, whether paid or unpaid, professional or volunteer. If music is part of what you do, we want to hear from you.

The Manhattan Music Census is part of Kansas Music Cities Together, a statewide initiative helping communities better understand and strengthen their local music ecosystems through collaboration, shared learning, and community-driven action.

"Music plays an important role in the identity and quality of life of Manhattan and the Flint Hills region," said Taylor McFall, MHK Music Network. "The more voices that participate, the stronger our understanding of the ecosystem becomes and the better equipped we'll be to support its future."

To learn more about becoming a Community Partner, visit MHKMusic.com/Manhattan-Music-Census.

About Switch Wicked

Switch Wicked is a community art studio and live music space located in downtown Manhattan. Through concerts, songwriter events, and creative programming, Switch Wicked supports local and regional artists while helping foster connections across the community.

More info: https://www.switchwicked.com

About MHK Music Network

MHK Music Network is a Manhattan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting music, art, and culture throughout the Flint Hills region. The organization works with artists, venues, businesses, and community partners to strengthen the local creative ecosystem and produces programs including MidFest.

About Kansas Music Cities Together

Kansas Music Cities Together is a statewide program that helps communities better understand and strengthen their local music ecosystems through collaboration, data, shared learning, and practical action. The initiative is led by Sound Music Cities in collaboration with the Kansas Arts Commission and includes communities from across Kansas working together to support local music and culture. 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.

More info: https://www.soundmusiccities.com/kansas-music-cities-together