We are faced with the fact that we will not have a local music scene without musicians living locally.

 

Music has become synonymous with the Emerald City, but can we truly call ourselves a “city of music” if we do not create a city where they can thrive? 

 

Despite the music industry generating billions in the local economy, musicians see little return. They make less than minimum wage while living in one of the most expensive cities in the nation. 

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As musicians hustle to make ends meet, healthcare takes a backseat to expenses like rent and food. Seeing a doctor when it isn’t an emergency feels like a luxury, but it shouldn’t be. Musicians deserve access to high-quality healthcare services and shouldn’t have to be rich or an insurance expert to access it, either. 

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While it's easy to get lost in the magic of music, the reality is that a musician's life can be incredibly demanding, expensive, and, at times, isolating. The pressures of performance, financial instability, and the industry's unpredictability can take a toll on a musician’s well-being.

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When you support SMASH, you help provide a foundation of health that allows our local musicians to feel cared for and focus their resources on other key living expenses, including their musical craft. In turn, they enrich our local culture, economy, and lives. 

 

Together, we can create a music community where every member feels supported, understood, and empowered to seek help when needed.