The Phase Zero program aims to formalize a creative economy.
Amaad Hardy, business developer with the Office of Equity and Engagement, is leading the initiative.
“It's really just to encourage more local businesses or local venues to have more live music similar to what you see in Austin and Nashville where you to go to a coffee shop and you hear music. You go to a restaurant, and you hear music or you see somebody doing some kind of performance.”
The Phase Zero pilot program will assist up to 18 local musicians to be certified as Micro
Local Business Enterprises and be paid as city vendors for free public performances in the Third Ward SouthPrize event during ArtPrize.
“It’s really to inspire those small businesses we already have in our multiple business corridors to use music as a form of placemaking alongside the visual arts. If it goes smoothly, it will provide more opportunities for musicians in performing art to use those spaces to do their work.”
Phase Zero is under the Cultural Business Enterprise Initiative partnered with the Michigan Music Alliance.
If the pilot proves successful, the program may expand citywide in 2027 to include other creative fields.
Musicians interested in participating connect through the Michigan Music Alliance, the City’s designated partner for artist coordination and certification, ensuring they have a registered LLC with the State of Michigan, are located in Kent County, are a registered vendor with the City of Grand Rapids, have paid at least one year of taxes amongst other criteria which can be found on the MLBE Application page.
Once certified, musicians enter the CBE cohort and become eligible for Citypaid performances during the pilot window.
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