A CREATIVE ECOSYSTEM FOR CHATTANOOGA.

THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT MAKING CHATTANOOGA A VIABLE OPTION FOR CREATIVES TO LIVE, WORK, AND THRIVE.

We want to see Chattanooga become a hub for the creation of music, content, and world-class entertainment — A city full of resources that benefit the regional creator economy and students while also attracting the highest level of talent in the world.

PREFACE

The ‘Venture Project’ is a vision born from Dynamo Studios and more than a decade of investment in the local creative economy. It is being executed by the Dynamo team, Urban Story Ventures, local educators, and a collective of local and industry-leading creators.

“Making it” in the creative economy isn’t rocket science, but it is a process that requires a few specific things:

A highly talented, driven, and visionary community, with access to high-caliber resources and lucrative opportunities.
A highly trained pipeline of up-and-coming talent.

The creative economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world while maintaining a near-zero drop in global development historically. This project will bolster the local economy and education system by creating jobs and investing in the community using generated revenue.

With that being said, here is how we plan to create an economically vibrant creative ecosystem in Chattanooga.

A CREATIVE ECOSYSTEM FOR CHATTANOOGA

The ‘Venture’ production facility will serve as a hub for all things related to creative industries in Chattanooga, with a specific focus on the music industry and media production. The end goal is to address the needs presented by the local music economy, the creative economy, and the needs of creative professionals who wish to create locally, while also providing facilities and resources that attract the highest levels of talent to Chattanooga.

A special emphasis will be placed on opportunities to advance people who are ACTIVE in the creative economy, as well as educational and professional opportunities for students advancing through Dynamo Studios’ educational programs.

This facility will house multiple large-scale sound stages, LED volumes, post-production facilities, movie production infrastructure, multiple recording studios, mixing rooms, an iMac lab, higher learning facilities, lounges, offices, agency space, co-work spaces, and on-site living (lofts and apartments), etc.

OPPORTUNITIES — WHY CHATTANOOGA?

One of the most exciting parts of this project is that we have the opportunity to build something from a relatively clean slate. It allows us to create a strong music/creator ecosystem from the ground up that has the potential to change the way everyone (no matter their industry) views our city. At scale, the marker of success is when people from all corners of our community say: “WE MAKE MUSIC IN CHATTANOOGA. WE MAKE MOVIES IN CHATTANOOGA. YOU CAN MAKE IT AS A CREATOR IN CHATTANOOGA.”

A major advantage of building something like this here is that we are conveniently located between two of the largest music and entertainment cities on earth — Atlanta and Nashville. One dominates the hip hop, RnB, and pop charts, and the other dominates the country, CCM, and rock charts. This sort of geographic and economic position doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. Additionally, we have a very strong pool of talented musicians and creators based here in Chattanooga. Many of these professionals are established in their careers, but have to travel constantly for their opportunities because we, as a community, simply haven’t invested in projects that bring those opportunities to our local economy.

At present Chattanooga has an incredibly low cost of living in comparison to our major metro neighbors. In metro ATL, rent is roughly $2,070/month for a one-bedroom apartment. In Nashville, rent is roughly $2,650/month. While in downtown Chattanooga rent is roughly $1,450/month.

Additionally, with the development of the only commercially accessible Quantum network and Quantum computer in the country via EPB, we are positioned as a city to introduce a massive range of new technology and interconnectivity that will disrupt (in a good way) much of the entertainment and creator industries across the planet.

“

Chattanooga is a very special place. The people are nice here. The air is fresh. The tech is next level — This is a place that will become the hub for creators.

-Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins

(Songwriter Hall of Fame, Super Producer, Multi Grammy Winner)

“

I haven’t been this focused in a while. L.A. is cool, but there is so much going on out there. I can really focus here without distractions.

-Tiggi

(Diamond and multi-platinum record-selling producer)

THE CURRENT STATUS OF OUR CITY

Chattanooga is an incredible city that is lacking the resources needed to attract major artists, musicians, and creators in addition to lacking the resources to support the current producer/creative economy. There aren't any physical spaces dedicated to the very specific needs of high-level music/creator industry professionals. This facility and campus solve that problem.

Because this facility is removed from the stressors of major music metros, this space will allow Chattanooga to become a destination and retreat for the creation of music and media.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Music Producers
Songwriters
Audio Engineers
Record Labels
Executive Teams
Film Makers
Producers
Writers
Directors
Production Studios
Ad Agencies
Photographers
Videographers
Graphic Designers
Web Designers
Workforce Development Pipeline
Public Schools
Higher Learning and Universities
Edu Nonprofits

“Facilities like this create an environment where education, the arts, and technology come together as one cohesive unit with the community and innovative thinkers, resulting in exponential cultural, entrepreneurial, and community growth.”

Kessler Cuffman — Executive Officer @ Songbirds Foundation

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Our Vision for Professionals

We want to see local and national music/creator industry professionals better equipped and prepared to find career and financial success within the music/creator industry at large as a result of participating in our programs and by making use of our resources and other support systems. We want to see the highest level of talent attracted to our city.

Our Vision for Students

We want to see our programs inspiring and empowering the students of Chattanooga to become elite professionals in the creative economy or whatever respective career field they pursue, establishing Chattanooga as a hub for the creative economy and entrepreneurship.

We want to be able to look a low-income student in the eye when they start with Dynamo Studios in 6th grade and be able to say, “Poverty will never be a part of your life again if you stay the course and make it through the program and high school graduation.”

Our Vision for Bolstering the Community

We want to see our programs inspiring collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships between equipped students and creative economy professionals, where both grow from working together.

We want to see creative economy professionals receive the services they need to thrive, and students receive the opportunities needed to refine their skills so that they are ahead of the pack after graduating high school.

OUTCOMES AND IMPACT

MUSIC INDUSTRY

Participating musicians will be better equipped to grow their audience and grow their brand. They will gain access to professional services and resources at a discounted rate that have been unavailable locally until now. Additionally, out-of-town musicians will have access to these same opportunities in the case that they need a retreat from the stressors of major music metros.

Dedicated workspaces

Professional development
High-Level Tech and Gear Resources
Expanded Market Exposure
Access to our network of partners and clients

CREATORS

At present, there is a small handful of resources to support Creative Industry Professionals living and working in Chattanooga. The problem, however, is that the needs of Creatives are hyper-specific to their respective industries.

This space will fill many of the gaps in what’s currently offered in Chattanooga. Nearly every box has been checked:

Dedicated workspaces
Professional development
High-Level Tech and Gear Resources
Expanded Market Exposure
Access to our network of partners and clients

THE COMMUNITY

The city and community as a whole will benefit from having a resource that not only supports local music but also warrants and attracts major artists from outside of Chattanooga. This will make our city much more attractive to musicians looking to record here, people interested in moving here, and companies looking to set up shop locally.

STUDENTS

Participating students will be better equipped to enter directly into the workforce or collegiate programs if they are regularly involved with programming in our space and our in-school programming. Our programs will help them build the strongest portfolios and resumes in the city when compared to other third-party edu organizations.

FACILITIES AND AMENTIES

Large, Medium, and Small Format Room Recording Studios

Sound Stages (10,000+ sqft)
Cyclorama Room
Photo Studios
Editing Studios
Mac Labs
Leasable space for ad agencies or record labels
Classrooms
Apartments and Lofts

Common Spaces

Theater/Venue (150 seats)
Event Spaces
Lounges
Rentable Cinema Gear Locker
Rentable Photo Gear Locker
Rentable Audio Gear Locker
Coworking space
Offices
Writer Rooms

“Chattanooga is such a cool place to stop on tour. Every time we are here we have an awesome time!”

-JON FOREMAN OF SWITCHFOOT

GREAT PROGRAMS LEAD TO BOLD VISION BECOMING REALITY.

PROGRAMMING

Massively expanded university coursework opportunities (new major and minor pathways)
Dual enrollment opportunities for students from Hamilton County Schools
Grammy partnership masterclasses
Masterclasses for filmmaking, commercial video, photography, editing, script writing, music production, audio engineering, post-production, songwriting, web, design, etc.
Expanded regular programming for Hamilton County Schools and Future Ready Institutes
Professional development across the board for all major creative economy areas of work
Professional development for local and regional teachers
Consultation for project development
Mentorship for students
Mentorship for aspiring professionals and or early-stage projects

REVENUE AND SUSTAINABILITY

The diversity in resources and spaces offered is what makes this sort of project special. When you provide creators with resources, facilities, dense living, and opportunities, this project will thrive and generate strong revenue while moving the needle for the entire community.