Defining Market for Micro Units

“More than 20% of Austin musicians live below the poverty level and more than 50% qualify for Section 8 housing subsidy.” This was one of many shocking discoveries in the Austin Music Census (https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Austin_Music_Census_Interactive_PDF_53115.pdf), published in June 2015.

Among many of the recommendations included shared commercial space for practicing and affordable housing. The Chicon Micro Unit project will be designed for artists and musicians with shared commercial/practice/exhibition space, very much in line with the recommendations of the Music Census report.

In speaking with my fellow cohort, Jennifer Houlihan (aka “Houli”) I realized one of her recommendations of someone to speak with in the creative sector industry was Heather Wagner-Reed of Juice Consulting (http://juiceconsulting.com/about-us/) who I know from a mutual friend. Heather recommended I read this census report too get a better understanding of the issues facing musicians. Great recommendation and read!!

My fellow-cohorts of the Impact Hub Affordability Accelerator have been great resources and help each other stay on task and get through mental humps in the road.

One of the key next steps for the Creative Hub Micro Unit project is to hold a dinner party with stakeholders to gauge their interest in this concept and provide feedback on next steps, resources and design.