We launched the next phase of our ambitious Artist Revenue Streams project on September 6, 2011, with a detailed online survey for musicians, songwriters and composers. The survey is one part of a multi-method research effort to assess how artists are currently generating income from their music, performances and brands. We think it’s incredibly important for musicians, artist advocates, policymakers and the industry to better understand the revenue picture for musicians. Which is why we’re asking, “how do you make money from music?”
Artist Revenue Streams (ARS) represents the first time a US-based organization has conducted a research project that examines musicians’ revenue streams across all genres and roles. The results could provide the music community at large with a comprehensive analysis of how musicians are being compensated in the digital age.
The project engages with a wide range of musicians, including jazz artists, Nashville songwriters, session musicians, touring rock artists, hip hop emcees, classical composers, and artists experimenting with direct-to-fan strategies through three research strategies: in-person interviews; financial case studies; and a wide-ranging online survey. The online survey, which will be available until October 28, 2011, will collect detailed information from thousands of U.S.-based musicians and composers about the ways that they are currently generating income from their recordings, compositions or performances. Go take it here!
Extra credit: check out what John Simson, SoundExchange executive director and ARS consultant, has to say about the project in a Billboard editorial.