Auckland City of Music | Tāmaki Makaurau Pā Puoro is a finalist for Best Global Music City at the 3rd Annual Music Cities Awards. This follows on from last year’s win as Best Global Music Office.
The Music Cities Awards is a global competition designed to acknowledge and reward the most outstanding applications of music for economic, social, environmental and cultural development in cities and places all around the world.
The aim of the Best Global Music City category is to celebrate the city that has best integrated music into as many aspects of its development as possible, with the winning city able to demonstrate that it is actively supporting its music ecosystem, as well as integrating music into improving equity & inclusion, economic development, health, tourism, urban planning, night time economy, community building, and more.
Mayor Phil Goff says, “This nomination recognises the strength and talent of Auckland’s music ecosystem. This includes the unique contribution of Māori culture to music and the strengths and contribution of Pasifika and ethnic communities."
“Being a finalist for the Best Global Music City is a huge positive for Tāmaki Makaurau and one that all of us should take pride in.”
Councillor Alf Filipaina, Chair of Auckland Council’s Parks Arts Community and Events Committee agrees. “It is fantastic to see Tāmaki Makaurau nominated as a finalist in the Best Global Music City category. The timing could not have been better with last weekend’s final of Stand Up Stand Out, our musical and dance talent competition, fresh in our minds. Initiatives like SUSO unveil great emerging musical talent and this nomination recognises that.”
Auckland City of Music Director Mark Roach says, “Auckland’s music scene has weathered a tumultuous period due to effects of COVID-19, but the crisis has paved the way for the new initiatives and relationships which will assist Auckland in building a resilient, sustainable and diverse music ecosystem into the future.
“This nomination acknowledges that Auckland is a highly creative city, filled with world-class musicians, music workers, orchestras, venues and festivals.
"The nomination also recognises the mahi behind the scenes such as the revitalising Music In Venues programme, our gender equality initiative, Equaliser, as well as the work that Auckland Council does with rangatahi on Stand Up Stand Out and Ka Mua, Ka Muri.”
The nomination was also in recognition of the collaborative efforts of both Auckland Council and Music Sector partners to find ways to solve challenges and maximise opportunities within the ecosystem. This resulted in support and resourcing for professional development events (Aotearoa SyncPosium, Young Gig Makers, Aotearoa Music Producer Series, Independent Music NZ’s Going Global and Taite Music Prize); infrastructure initiatives (Save Our Venues, MusicHelps); and celebration of music heritage (Songlines, From The Pit music photography, NZ Music Month heritage walks).
Auckland Council has shown leadership to supporting the arts by trying new ways to showcase the musical and creative talent across our region. During the orange setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework earlier this year, the council, in partnership with Money for Jam, E Noho and MusicHelps, took the annual Music in Parks season into people’s homes with an online offering to keep Auckland musicians in front of Aucklanders.
The council has also supported musical artists and other creatives with crowdfunding partner Boosted. This saw 24 creative projects. including six music-based projects, receive $2000 each from council with the remainder funded from individuals. This resulted in those creative projects coming to fruition when the creative sector was struggling.
Coincidentally, all three finalists in the Best Global Music City category are members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
The awards will be presented at the 11th Music Cities Convention being held in November 2022 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
