TOPEKA MUSIC CENSUS IS OPEN!!
Now through August 9th, we want to hear from you so that we can better understand the people, places, and challenges shaping the local music ecosystem. All professionals, semi-professionals, and students who work full-time or part-time in the music industry in any capacity, with or without compensation. Respondents must be 18 years of age or older and living and/or working in Topeka.
The Topeka Music Census is a community-led effort to better understand the people, places, and challenges shaping the local music ecosystem, including musicians, venues, educators, promoters, engineers, DJs, photographers, nonprofits, retailers, media, and creative entrepreneurs. The goal is to build a meaningful coalition that can help to ensure that Topeka has a thriving music scene for years to come.
WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THE CENSUS?
All professionals, semi-professionals, and students who work full-time or part-time in the music industry in any capacity, with or without compensation. (This includes individuals who work for music-related organizations.)
Respondents must be 18 years of age or older and living and/or working in the Topeka area.
COMING UP….
FINAL COUNTDOWN PARTY!
ArtsConnect will be hosting the Topeka Music Census: Final Countdown Party on Monday, August 3 from 6-8p. It’s an opportunity to learn more about what we have planned, how you can get involved - and we’re looking forward to hearing your questions and concerns. This is the first time that this has been done in Topeka - but building connections and collaboration in our local music scene is critical to its future success.
In order to strengthen the Topeka Music Scene, we want to build a coalition that unites artists, venues, promoters, and fans to build a stronger creative ecosystem. This could include locating and identifying opportunities for resource sharing, advocating for funding, building connections to others in the region and coordinating marketing resources. Currently, Topeka has no formal group of “music scene” partners - so building this kind of coalition could have huge benefits to many in our local creative industries.
Why Do We Need A Coalition?
WE NEED YOU.
Building Community + Gathering Data
This effort requires coordination and collaboration, and everyone who plays a role in the music ecosystem can play a role in making sure that live music in Topeka has a bright future. Please take a minute to help spread the word. You can support the project by:
Sharing information through email and social media
Posting flyers in your business, organization, or event space
Personally inviting artists, creatives, and community members to participate
Helping us reach voices from every corner of Topeka's creative community
Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and more vibrant creative future for Topeka.
Topeka Music Census FAQs
Topeka is part of Kansas Music Cities Together, a year-long, cohort-based program designed to help Kansas communities better understand, connect, and support their local music ecosystems — and the census is the first step. Led by Sound Music Cities, in collaboration with the Kansas Arts Commission, Kansas Music Cities Together brings Kansas communities together for shared learning and technical assistance. 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.
-
This census is focused on people who work in music in any capacity. Fans are encouraged to
help spread the word to musicians, venues, studios, educators, and anyone doing music-related
work.
-
Topeka’s music community and its partners want reliable information about the people who power the music ecosystem. The data helps identify what is working, where support is most needed, and what opportunities exist. When the results are released, they will be available for musicians, venues, nonprofits, funders, businesses, and civic leaders to use.
-
The census includes questions about demographics, occupation type, creative and industry roles, income and economic activity, workforce and professional development, affordability, and overall experiences working in the Topeka music ecosystem.
-
Yes. The census does not collect personal identifiers or IP addresses. Any comments that appear in the published results will be attributed only as “Census Respondent.”
-
Most people complete it in about 8 minutes, depending on their role and how much they choose to write in the open comment sections.
-
The Topeka Music Census will be open for two weeks from July 20 - Aug 3, 2026.
-
Anyone 18 or older who lives or works in the Topeka music ecosystem. If you contribute to Topeka’s music community in any capacity, paid or unpaid, you should participate.
-
Yes. Many people in Topeka’s music community work part-time, seasonally, occasionally, or volunteer their time. If you contribute to the ecosystem in any way, your voice is important.
-
Pick the primary role that fits you best. The census has space to list any additional roles you perform.
-
Yes. You can complete it on a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. If you plan to come back later, use the same device.
-
The results are expected to be available between July and September, shared publicly through reports, dashboards, and community presentations.
Topeka Music Census + Coalition Partner Sign-Up Form
In order to strengthen the Topeka Music Scene, we are building a coalition that unites artists, venues, promoters, and fans to build a stronger creative ecosystem. This includes locating and identifying opportunities for resource sharing, advocating for funding, building connections to others in the region and coordinating marketing resources. Currently, Topeka has no formal group of “music scene” partners - so building this kind of coalition has the potential for huge benefits to many in our local creative industries.