The Current
The Current brings listeners the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic. We see our role as driving the local music ecosystem by discovering new, supporting emerging, and honoring the legacy of Minnesota artists. Legacy-funded work highlights Minnesota artists through broadcast, digital, and live-streamed experiences. Minnesota musicians are hired for in-person events. The Current also provides employment opportunities for part-time digital associates seeking to grow their media experience. All of work seeks to embrace the diversity of talent in Minnesota with a desire to program artists and hire associates of multiple backgrounds.
$1,700,000 the first year and $1,775,000 the second year are for Minnesota Public Radio to create programming and expand news service on Minnesota's cultural heritage and history.
Digital: Quantitative: Increase: local web traffic by 5%, on-demand downloads/listening by 25%, video impressions by 5%, local social channels by 25%; Update: Increase overall digital activity by 50%, including on-demand downloads/listening by 15%, video views by 50%, social followers by 15%. Qualitative: Audience survey about perception of local music and artist survey about how The Current affected their musical career. Digital Associates: Associates have learned and/or honed a variety of skills which may include writing, photography, research, project management, and new software. Occasionally previous associates have been hired as contractors or staff.
Achieved proposed outcomes
$1,700,000 the first year and $1,775,000 the second year are for Minnesota Public Radio to create programming and expand news service on Minnesota's cultural heritage and history.
The Local Shows: Quantitative: More than 50% of the music on the show promotes new/emerging artists or brand-new content from Minnesota artists, promote/highlight more than 200 events are promoted and highlighted per year. Qualitative: Survey artists across the local music ecosystem (e.g. new, emerging, or established) to understand the impact of the Local Shows on their careers. The Current Streams: Purple Current remains a stream of music exploring Prince's musical legacy, Local Current remains a stream of Minnesota Music including new and emerging artists as well as local legends, Rock The Cradle Radio is a stream of music for their kids and grownups and commits to include local artists in its stream, up to 25%, Radio Heartland is a stream of acoustic, roots, and folk music and it commits to include local artists in its stream, up to 25%. Digital: Quantitative: Increase: local web traffic by 5%, on-demand downloads/listening by 25%, video impressions by 5%, local social channels by 25%; Qualitative: Audience survey about perception of local music and artist survey about how The Current affected their musical career. Digital Associates: Associates have learned and/or honed a variety of skills which may include writing, photography, research, project management, and new software. Occasionally previous associates have been hired as contractors or staff.
Achieved Proposed Outcomes