vitalize the local economy & nurture the health of our city Dear Friends of DMMC, Twenty seventeen was a pivotal year for the Des Moines Music Coalition. After a decade supporting, promoting, and cultivating central ’s music economy, we entered a new chapter in our organization’s history.

In early spring, we welcomed Jarin Hart as the DMMC’s first-ever Executive Director. With Jarin’s passion, leadership, and determination, we are positioning ourselves to make an even bigger impact on central Iowa and its cultural community in the years to come.

Last year’s new initiatives exhibit this. Our after-school youth program provided Des Moines middle-schoolers an opportunity to collaborate, create, and express themselves through rock and hip-hop music. Our pilot Fellowship program worked to connect Iowa artists with music industry resources and guidance to take their professional music careers to the next level. Our renewed focus on music advocacy took steps to ensure more fans had access to the variety of live music events our city has to offer.

In addition, DMMC worked with volunteers, supporters, and fans

to host all the annual programming you’ve come to expect, from

C ov our locally-focused annual festivals (GDP and Little Big Fest) to er Photo b pho y Alyssa Leicht to Music University, summer camps, and more. And of course 80/35 by Bra den music festival, which celebrated its tenth year transforming Kopf ; P hoto downtown Des Moines into a “fantastical music wonderland.” by M eanz Chan As we enter 2018, the DMMC remains committed to our core mission and vision, launching new programming, engaging new partners, and laying the groundwork for the next decade of Des Moines’ cultural evolution. (DMMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and collaborative movement I encourage you to join the cause – together I’m confident we can committed to building a stronger and more diverse make Des Moines the country’s next Music City. music community in greater Des Moines. Through our mission to support and cultivate Iowa’s music economy, our vision is to establish and maintain Des Moines as a nationally recognized music city.

Music is proven to have the power to generate economic growth, increase tax revenues, attract Adam Bartelt, President the brightest talent, and contribute to the health of DMMC Board of Directors cities. DMMC’s mission and vision align with those of community leaders Bravo Greater Des Moines and the Greater Des Moines Partnership in their Capital Crossroads and Education Drives our Greater Economy (EDGE) initiatives to further strengthen the role of arts and culture as vibrant contributors for powering growth, progress, and change. DMMC recognizes the need to grow the next generation of performers and engender educated consumers of live music. DMMC believes by funding music programs that foster an appreciation for music, children reap the benefits of improved academic performance, awakened creativity, heightened self-esteem, and an overall sense of accomplishment. Studies prove that regardless of socioeconomic background, music-making students do better in school than those who have no music involvement. Today’s music students will be the creators, consumers, and supporters of tomorrow’s music scene.

P h inspire youth & encourage the next ot o b y M generation of creative problem-solverse a n z C ha n

In 2017, DMMC launched an after-school music education initiative in partnership with Des Moines Public Schools. The 10-week hip-hop pilot program provided ten 6-8 grade students at Meredith

Middle School with creative instruction drawing on rhythm and voice exercises, history and culture, songwriting, and dance to embrace a total arts experience. In 2018, DMMC will expand the after school program to 30 weeks and will include both hip-hop and rock/pop. DMMC aims to grow the program into all Des Moines public middle schools in the next 3 years.

Since 2015, DMMC and Des Moines Parks & Recreation have partnered to host hip-hop and rock/pop music camps in the DMMC is committed to the professional development summer for students ages 11-15 yrs. During these two-week of local musicians at any stage of their career. In camps, students create music in a fun, collaborative environment addition to Music University workshops throughout with no prior experience required. Working under the guidance of the year, 2017 also saw the launch of DMMC’s new seasoned, local musicians and educators, students learn skills to Music Fellowship pilot program. This career-focused play in a band, write lyrics, record music, and perform live at Des education initiative offers local musicians rigorous Moines’ annual 80/35 music festival. training and mentorship across multiple facets of the music industry. The program connects local bands DMMC engaged a total of 53 students and contracted 3 local with regional industry resources to expedite their hip-hop artists and 5 local rock, jazz, and blues musicians for its music to national recognition while developing a more 2017 summer camps and after school program. collaborative music industry in Central Iowa.

• Learned and implemented new writing skills

• Acquired a broader understanding of hip-hop history

• Demonstrated new performance skills

• Created and performed an original song of DMMC Hip-Hop After School students... unify our neighbors & energize the spirit of our city Throughout the past decade, Des Moines has seen music play a pivotal role in improving the city’s quality of life. Each of the DMMC’s events is created with the mission of making central Iowa a destination for both world-class performing artists and fans from around the Midwest, providing progressive cultural opportunities for Iowans, connecting local businesses and organizations with the local music movement, expanding the local music audience, and exposing local bands and artists to new fans.

Thanks to DMMC-run events including 80/35, GDP, and Little BIG Fest, in addition to many other community-run festivals, growth can be seen in the following: • Area youth are inspired to express

P themselves and find self-confidence through h ot o music and other creative endeavors b y M e ran a o n rc • Skilled local musicians are able to establish z o C f C ha eff viable music careers and are increasingly n y J o b ot recognized for their artistry, launching them Ph

into the national and global spotlight

• Touring bands stop in Des Moines to perform

to bigger and bigger audiences each year, n driving our local economy ha z C ean y M o b Phot • The Des Moines metro has become an attractive place for talented young professionals to live and pursue careers

acts on 4 stages

volunteers Founded in 2008, the DMMC’s signature event is the annual 80/35 music festival. July 7 & 8, 2017 marked the 10th year of 80/35, which attendees drew more than 33,000 people to downtown Des Moines to celebrate local culture and to experience dozens of legendary indie, jam, hip-hop, electronic, and alternative acts in an high fives on record* urban setting. Engaging over 550 volunteers annually, 80/35 is truly a collaborative tradition our community takes pride in each year.

generated annually for the Des Moines economy**

*Survey of 1,253 80/35 2017 attendees **Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau showcase our local creativity DMMC’s annual fundraiser celebrates Des Moines’ creative movers, shakers, music lovers and makers. Each year, members of the community nominate deserving music industry supporters and professionals for their tireless dedication and exceptional contributions to Des Moines’ music scene. Backstage Ball is our way of celebrating the hardworking individuals who make our local music scene so great!

Backstage Ball 2017 was held on February 24 at Streetcar 209 DMMC presented the 12th with live music by Dartanyan Brown and Ducharme-Jones. $19,552 annual Gross Domestic was raised to benefit the Des Moines Music Coalition and its work to Product (GDP) music festival develop, accelerate, and support local music. at Vaudeville Mews and 4th Street Theatre on Saturday, April 29, 2017. The all-Iowa festival boasted 16 acts and was headlined by Ames’ • Katie Byers • Michelle & Steve Pohlmeyer • Brandon Clark Neon & Nude (Leslie Hall • Brian Campos • Bob & Maria Filippone, & Max Wellman • Phil Young of Wabi Sound & Kate Kennedy) and Iowa City’s Halfloves. GDP 2017’s main objectives were to boost exposure and build audiences for up-and-coming Iowa acts, and to bring more musicians from outside Des Moines to introduce local artists to new ideas. P The 12th annual Little BIG Fest featured six Iowa acts and h o

t three national performers on Saturday, November 4, 2017 o

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at the Des Moines Social Club. In an effort to reach artists M

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historically underrepresented at music festivals, Little a n

z BIG Fest 2017 featured female and non-binary musicians C

h actively working in the music industry. By supporting ALL a n

musicians, DMMC’s goal is to showcase positive examples

for local performers and to challenge the music industry to

embrace a wider variety of musicians as festival headliners.

Girls Rock! Des Moines, DMMC, and Little BIG Fest 2017 P h headliner Thao Nguyen (of Thao & the Get Down Stay ot o Down) partnered at the festival to host a songwriting b y J a workshop led by Thao and attended by over 35 budding ne t E musicians from central Iowa. c kl e s

create a community where all members can thrive

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to o h P A huge THANK YOU to the partners, foundations, corporations, and many more unnamed ie

or t individuals who donated in 2017 to support the work of DMMC. These music fans make it Es

y possible for DMMC to offer free in-school programming for middle school students, to provide b to career-sustaining resources for local musicians, and to bring top talent each summer to the o h P 80/35 music festival. Thank you all for believing in the power of music.

Adrienne Greenwald & Iowa Taproom Zac Andersen ITA Group Foundation Adam Bartelt, President Atlantic Bottling Jackie & Joe Cacciatore Katie Graham, Vice President Bankers Trust Jasper Winery Brady Mallon, Secretary Becky Greenwald Jay & Katie Byers Matt Fett, Treasurer BilT Guitars Jermi & Sara Porter Mike Thibodeau, Past President Blind Photography Jill Haverkamp Kevin Brownell Bob Filippone Joy Svec Robert Feeney Bravo Greater Des Moines Kay Myers Lindy Ireland Brian Davis KFMG 98.9FM Angela Johnson Brian Pattinson Kum & Go Mic Jurgens Bruce Koeppel Lagunitas Brewing Company Andrew Kane Business Record Malo Loyd Ogle Businessolver Margi Weiss & Mike Tramontina Kuuku Saah

Catch Des Moines Mark Movic & Susan Skinner Justin Schoen CenturyLink Mars Cafe Nickelle Stevens Chris & Dan Kramer Meredith Corp. City of Des Moines Parks MidAmerican Energy & Recreation MINI of Des Moines Click! Nationwide Community Foundation On Pitch Jarin Hart, Executive Director DMMC is honored to work alongside of Greater Des Moines Pat McManus Lindsay Keast, community leaders such as Bravo Greater Confluence Brewing Company Peace Tree Brewing Co. Outreach Coordinator Des Moines, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Coors Light Polk County Molly Brandt, Advocacy Coordinator Community Foundation of Greater Des DART Des Moines Public Schools Principal Financial Group Tate Clemen, Intern Moines, , and more, to Des Moines Social Club Renae Bandstra & Dave Salaba Amedeo Rossi, help establish Des Moines as a place where Don & Maddie Schoen Robert & Marzia Benson 80/35 Project Manager people are proud to work, live, and play. It is Eleven Bulls Sarabeth & Will Anderson Margi Weiss, important to build a community where arts Elizabeth & Riley Schlievert Saturday Mfg. Development Consultant and culture are at the center, and we plan EMC Sazerac to accomplish this through strengthening Eric West Sheila Tweeton Thanks to generous support from the the local music economy. Evan Powers Shotgun Management Community Foundation of Greater Des Gary Fischer Stōk Cold Brew Coffee Moines, DMMC has begun a two-phase Through meaningful and strategic advocacy, Gateway Catering Trudy Hurd strategic planning process to determine, artist development, music education, and Greater Des Moines Partnership VolunteerLocal develop, and implement the initiatives and music tourism initiatives, DMMC will serve Gregory Page Wells Fargo programs necessary to both support the as the leader in the Music Cities movement Hy-Vee Yelp DSM current music economy in Greater Des creating a thriving, collaborative, diverse Iowa Beverage Systems Yup! Milk Iowa Public Radio Moines, and lay the foundation for what is music ecosystem and thus, an exciting, to come in 2018 and beyond. vibrant community. Des Moines Music Coalition 900 Keosauqua Way, Suite 117 Des Moines, Iowa 50309

[email protected] desmoinesmc.com