Hutchinson Is a Music City event invites local musicians and music community members to help identify priorities and next steps for Hutchinson’s music ecosystem
HUTCHINSON, Kan., Oct. 20, 2026 — What does Hutchinson’s music community need most, and where should the city start?
StartUp Hutch, Third Thursday, and Hutch Rec invite local musicians, music industry professionals, and community members to Hutchinson Is a Music City, a free public event on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5:30–7 p.m. at Sandhills Brewing.
The event will mark the release of the Hutchinson Music Census results, offering a closer look at the people, businesses, organizations, and opportunities that make up Hutchinson’s local music ecosystem. More importantly, it will give the people who contribute to that ecosystem an opportunity to help determine what comes next.
The Hutchinson Music Census collected 115 responses from people involved in the local music community, including performers, venues, presenters, and other music industry professionals. The full census results are now available at hutchsound.com.
Early findings paint a picture of a music community with deep experience, a strong creative presence, and opportunities for growth. The results also raise important questions about how Hutchinson can better support the people who make music happen, strengthen connections across the industry, and create opportunities for the next generation of local talent.
The full results will be shared at the Oct. 22 event, followed by an opportunity for attendees to weigh in on what the findings mean for Hutchinson and which priorities deserve attention first.
The evening will begin with an opportunity to connect with others in the music community, followed by a brief presentation of the census findings. Attendees will then participate in live polling and a listening session to share their perspectives on the needs and opportunities facing local music. The discussion will conclude with a review of the community’s priorities and potential next steps.
Hutchinson is participating in Kansas Music Cities Together, a year-long program led by Sound Music Cities in collaboration with the Kansas Arts Commission and supported by Movement Musick.
Sound Music Cities works with communities to better understand their local music economies and develop practical strategies to support them. Through Kansas Music Cities Together, participating communities receive technical assistance, access to research and data, and opportunities for shared learning. The Hutchinson Music Census is an early step in that process, providing a foundation for informed decisions about the future of local music.
While the census provides valuable data, the next step is hearing directly from the people who make music happen in Hutchinson.
Whether they perform, book shows, teach, promote events, operate venues, or otherwise contribute to the local music community, participants are encouraged to bring their perspectives and ideas to the conversation.
Event Details
Hutchinson Is a Music City: Census Results & Community Conversation
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
- Time: 5:30–7 p.m.
- Location: Sandhills Brewing, Hutchinson
- Admission: Free and open to the public
The event is hosted by StartUp Hutch, Third Thursday, and Hutch Rec.
For more information about Kansas Music Cities Together and Sound Music Cities, visit https://hutchsound.com.
