REPORT TO CULTURAL COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Potential Action to Make a Recommendation to City Council to Join the Make Music Alliance to Promote “Make Music Day” in Santa Clara
Report
BACKGROUND
In 1982, the French Ministry of Culture conceived the idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They envisioned a day where free music would fill the city and be accessible to everyone. Unlike a traditional music festival, anyone would be invited to join and play music or host performances. The event, held annually on June 21, the summer solstice, was named “Fete de la Musique,” which in French means both “Festival of Music” and “Make Music.” Four decades later, the holiday has grown into a global movement, now celebrated in more than 2,000 cities worldwide. On June 21, 2025, 147 U.S. cities participated, organizing 5,471 free concerts as part of this international event.
Each Make Music chapter is independently organized, often by a local community group, music institution, or civic leader. Musicians and venues participate by registering through their local city’s website using customized matchmaking software provided by the Make Music Alliance. Through this platform, musicians can sign up, describe their music, and request performance space. Stores, buildings, gardens, and other locations can register to host musicians, offering space, electricity, equipment, and promotion. Musicians and venues can then browse the listings to connect and schedule performances for June 21. The software creates an interactive map with searchable listings and dynamically generated digital marketing materials for each participating city.
By joining the Make Music Alliance, a city receives the tools necessary to launch and manage a successful event, including a complete software platform and website, branding and marketing materials, consultant support, and access to nationally sponsored creative initiatives.
The City of San Jose has hosted “Make Music San Jose” for many years, and the Make Music Alliance is seeking to expand the celebration throughout the South Bay with interested communities. Currently, thirteen cities in California participate in Make Music Day. The next Make Music Day will be held on June 21, 2026.
DISCUSSION
On January 27, 2025, Chair Von Huene and City staff attended the Silicon Valley Creates Municipal Arts Roundtable, where the Make Music Alliance presented information on the Make Music program. During the February 2 Commission meeting, Commissioners were introduced to the program and expressed interest in discussing it further.
At the March 2, 2026, Cultural Commission meeting, the Commission will discuss whether “Make Music Day” could be a fit for Santa Clara. The FY 2025/26 Work Plan was approved by the Commission on April 7, 2025. As this program is being introduced after the Work Plan was adopted, it is being brought forward outside the established Work Plan cycle. Accordingly, staff resources remain focused on approved priorities, and capacity to support additional programs may be limited.
The Commission may explore how participation could be structured locally, discuss potential program options, and consider what implementation might entail. The discussion may include the formation of a sub-committee to further evaluate feasibility, potential funding options, and access to online tools and platform.
Given the quick and recent introduction of this program to the City, staff are continuing to research the program’s requirements, membership structure, and implementation expectations in order to provide additional information to the Commission, and, if directed, to City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual membership fee to join the Make Music Alliance is $350, which the Commission may allocate from its budget.
Membership benefits include the tools needed to launch and manage the event, including a software platform and website, branding and marketing materials, consultant support, and access to national initiatives.
As this event has not been hosted previously, there is no historical cost data for comparison. However, the program primarily connects musicians with participating venues, which is expected to minimize direct costs to the City. If approved, staff will conduct further analysis and return to the Commission with updated information for review.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Discussion and Potential Action to Make a Recommendation to City Council to Join the Make Music Alliance to Promote “Make Music Day” in Santa Clara
Staff
Prepared by: Robin Shaddle, Recreation Supervisor
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. About Make Music - 2025-26
2. Make Music Day Toolkit