Lausanne, Switzerland
Client City of Lausanne, Cultural Department
Project Music Ecosystem Analysis and Strategy
Year 2018
CHALLENGE
Despite its modest size, Lausanne boasts a vibrant and flourishing cultural and musical scene, catering to both niche styles and well-established genres. It is the home of the esteemed Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (OCL), one of Europe's premier chamber orchestras, and the vibrant Fête de la Musique, where the city's streets, squares, parks, and churches come alive with performances spanning all musical genres. Sound Diplomacy was entrusted not only to strengthen the Cultural Department's support for music but also to develop a comprehensive music strategy, with the goal of becoming a priority or key consideration for every city department.
strategy
The goal of the project was to embed music into the core of the city’s identity and strategic framework.
Comparative Analysis
Sound Diplomacy conducted detailed desk research including a literature review, and an international comparative analysis to determine how Lausanne positions itself within the global music cities movement.
Mapping Analysis
Sound Diplomacy identified the extent of music-related activities within the geographic boundaries of Lausanne, and catalogued concert halls and music venues, festivals, rehearsal spaces, recording studios, radio stations, music labels, and other places related to the music industry or music education.
Stakeholder engagement
Sound Diplomacy conducted a comprehensive survey involving 392 music professionals and fans, as well as interviews and roundtable discussions with 60 key stakeholders in the local music ecosystem.
Strategic plan
Based on this analysis, Sound Diplomacy developed a set of actionable recommendations to further support the growth of Lausanne's musical ecosystem.
Findings & outcomes
The project's findings and outcomes had a transformative impact on Lausanne's support system for the music sector.
The City established several funding programmes to support local musicians and music organisations. These include grants between CHF 2,500 and CHF 30,000 for music creation, distribution, and artistic production, quick cash grants for emerging projects, and multi-year funding support for long-term artistic development and growth for private music industry organisations.
In addition to financial support, the City of Lausanne provides infrastructural support, including 25 fully equipped rehearsal spaces for professional musicians, collectives, and groups working in amplified contemporary music. The city also provides office rentals for music labels and has recently opened three new venues: a jazz club with a 300-person capacity, along with two other clubs accommodating 300 and 150 people, respectively.
Additionally Lausanne also created a new role for music and new media who will oversee the implementation of the strategy going forward.
