RESOLUTION NO. 220993

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Sponsor:  Councilmember Melissa Robinson

RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to develop a funding plan to designate approximately $425,000.00 to support the City’s membership in the UNESCO Creative City Network and the implementation of Creative City KC, Inc.’s Global Music Economic Development Strategy.

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WHEREAS, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates cities around the world on a biennial basis as culturally significant to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN); and

WHEREAS, the City was so designated by UNESCO and became the first and only UCCN City of Music in the United States on November 16, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Kansas City’s membership in the UNESCO Creative City Network is consistent with the City’s plans and policies focused on Climate Action and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals - including reducing poverty, providing decent work and economic growth, being an industry innovator, offering quality education, addressing gender equality, and supporting sustainable cities and communities; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. is a nonprofit organization registered with the State of Missouri and the official focal point organization under UNESCO established to develop, implement, manage, and sustain Kansas City’s membership in the UNESCO Creative City Network; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. has worked for the past five years to establish Kansas City’s leadership in the UNESCO Creative City Network which currently has 246 member cities around the world; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. has worked locally to promote Kansas City neighborhoods, cultural organizations and creative industries through participation in UNESCO Creative Network activities shared with international audiences; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. is tasked with creating a Global Music Economic Development Strategy to strengthen Kansas City’s music economy, connect Kansas City musicians with global opportunities, and create local opportunities for economic growth; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. serves as an important local resource for the development of cultural tourism, the local music economy, and creative industry activities related to the seven sectors recognized by UNESCO, including crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. supports Kansas City’s efforts to promote excellence in music, film, the arts, and culture, such as concerts, festivals, sports, and other entertainment events, with quality musicians from across the globe,  and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. aims to build an economic development plan in the City’s urban core and significant historical and cultural sites which will include a strong international component and connect countries with an interest in jazz and Black American Music; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. seeks to promote music and other creative industries as drivers of sustainable development through City-adopted policies for neighborhoods and city-wide tourism; and 

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. has successfully engaged UNESCO Creative Cities in music collaborations including The Voyage of the Drum Jazz Festival, aimed to foster intercultural understanding, tolerance and mutual respect through music; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc. has submitted a Global Music Economic Development Strategy proposing to strengthen Kansas City’s music economy, support the recovery of the Music Sector following COVID-19, connect Kansas City musicians with international projects, and to create local opportunities for economic growth throughout the City; and

WHEREAS, this strategy includes but is not limited to, four signature events - The Voyage of the Drum, International Jazz Day, The International Diaspora Summit, and the Word & Music Conference to be held during fiscal years 2023 and 2024; and

WHEREAS, Creative City KC, Inc.’s Global Music Economic Development Strategy includes a two-year budget planning schedule of $425,000.00; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

                     That the City Manager is directed to develop a funding plan to designate approximately $425,000.00, subject to appropriation, to support the City’s membership in the UNESCO Creative City Network, and to implement Creative City KC, Inc.’s Global Music Economic Development Strategy.

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