The City of Sacramento has awarded a grant to the Department of Sound, a local music education nonprofit, to launch an innovative music revenue development program designed to help local musicians build sustainable careers in the industry.

The initiative, funded through federal American Rescue Plan dollars allocated by City Council to support Sacramento’s creative sector in addressing the negative impacts of COVID-19, responds to key findings from the Sacramento Music Census, which highlighted a significant need for training, resources, and diversified revenue opportunities for local musicians.

“Investing in Sacramento’s creative economy is key to our city’s cultural and economic resilience,” said Jason Jong, cultural and creative economy manager. “This partnership will help empower local musicians to turn their passion into long-term, viable careers.”

The grant will support the development and execution of “Making Money with Music” workshops and a year-long digital training platform in partnership with the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (CCE), a nationally recognized nonprofit specializing in music business education.

The program will feature:

• Six in-person workshops hosted in October, covering licensing, royalties, live performance income, merchandise, and more.
• Networking and education seminars to connect musicians with industry leaders.
• Year-long access to the CCE Music Revenue Training Platform, offering over 100 revenue development modules.

The initiative directly responds to the Music Census’ finding that 75% of Sacramento musicians rely on income outside of music, and many are unaware of easily accessible income streams such as royalties and licensing. By bridging these knowledge gaps, the program aims to help musicians transition into creative entrepreneurs.

The project timeline includes planning and community outreach through summer 2025, with workshops and related outreach starting in the fall. Attendees will also receive follow-up support to promote lasting impact.

“This program is about unlocking opportunity,” said John Hamilton Hodgson, CEO of Department of Sound. “With the right knowledge and support, Sacramento’s musicians can not only survive but thrive in this industry.”

Follow Department of Sound on Instagram @deptofsound and visit www.deptofsound.org for ongoing updates.

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Photo credit: Shattered Records – the location of program workshops.