Surrey has come up with strategies to help grow the city’s music industry.
A 72-page report, endorsed by the city council May 15, outlines the Surrey Music Strategy and a vision that “Surrey will be a music industry leader that supports musician development and a thriving music economy.”
Through research and community engagement launched in 2021, the report’s key findings are that Surrey has an internationally recognized South Asian music sector, and that at least 775 paid musicians call Surrey home.
In 2019 consumer spending by Surrey residents before and after music events was $138 million, the report says, and the city’s music industry contributed more than $90 million in total GDP.
Posted on surrey.ca/music, the seven pillars of Surrey Music Strategy include amplifying the city’s music talent and supportive resources, establishing Surrey’s music identity and continuing to “build bridges between the City and Surrey’s diverse music communities.”
There’s also a push to improve access to places and spaces for music, expand audience awareness and engagement, advance municipal leadership and support, and encourage music tourism and placemaking.
With Music BC’s support, the community engagement involved musicians, music-related businesses, stakeholders and fans. An analysis of Surrey’s music venues, audiences and economic impact was also conducted.
Among challenges, the number of Surrey’s current music venues and spaces “is insufficient for industry demands,” the report concludes, and “there are not enough opportunities for Surrey’s talent to perform, gain exposure and connect with the public.”
Also, “there is a lack of educational, mentoring and performance opportunities for emerging talent in Surrey.”
For the yearly Fusion Festival and other events, planners with the city are “actively using the Surrey Musician Directory and local music research to prioritize programming Surrey-based musicians for its major events. In 2022, 40 per cent of musicians booked had roots in Surrey.”
The report says 240 music “assets” are active in Surrey, including venues, festivals, music businesses and support organizations. A map identifies Surrey City Centre as the densest cluster of music assets, including two live-music venues at city hall (Centre Stage and Surrey Civic Plaza).
An estimated 1.5 million people attended music performances in Surrey in 2019, at events including Fusion Festival at Holland Park, Gone Country, FVDED in the Park, Surrey’s Canada Day celebration and others. An estimated 350,000 Surrey residents “regularly engage” with music.
Mayor Brenda Locke applauded the report as a “blueprint on how best to develop and expand a sustainable, innovative and diverse local music scene.”
Coun. Linda Annis said it’s time Surrey supports the budding musicians of the city.
“I look to organizations like the Surrey Youth Orchestra and the Surrey Orchestra and it’s just so nice to see us making a real focus to bring more culture to the city of Surrey,” Annis said at the May 15 council meeting. “We have so many talented people and it’s great that we’re addressing this.”
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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