Supporting Sacramento’s working musicians through artist programs.
The Sacramento Live Artist Coalition (SLAC) is a nonprofit organization representing people who build & sustain live music in our city. Working with small and mid-sized venues, we organize to direct public and philanthropic resources into meaningful programs for working musicians and the environment which supports them.
Help us get 200 Sacramento live music responses by Thanksgiving.
Why We Organized
Sacramento has the talent to sustain a thriving music culture: from jazz, soul, and hip-hop nights to original rock, funk, and experimental rooms. What has been missing is a steady, institutional structure to connect working musicians, independent venues, and staff at City Hall.
Too often, public arts conversations happen without the people whose livelihoods actually depend on live shows: bandleaders booking weekly shows in a limited number of rooms, the audio engineers running sound, the promoters putting together neighborhood bills, and small venue owners trying to keep doors open under restrictive permitting rules.
SLAC was formed to change that relationship. As a nonprofit coalition, we do two things: we represent live music workers in local policy discussions, and we build pathways to channel city and grant funding directly into programs that pay artists, support independent rooms, and keep live music accessible across Sacramento.
Our Mission & Focus
SLAC advocates for direct municipal and community investment into Sacramento’s live musical arts. We work with philanthropic, business and city leaders to fund programs that have a tangible, lasting impact on working musicians and live event workers.
Directing Funding into Artist Programs
Public arts dollars should reach the people making the music. We develop and advocate for funded programs that support artist residencies, fair base pay at small and mid-sized venues, neighborhood concert series, and professional resources for working musicians and crew.
Sensible Local Policy & Permitting
Many of the rules governing live music in Sacramento—from entertainment permit curfews to loading zone enforcement and sound regulations—make it unnecessarily difficult for small rooms to host live bands. We bring real data and working knowledge to City Hall to help modernize these laws.
Who We Represent
Our work centers on the people who make their living- or are building a living- through live music in Sacramento.
- Working Musicians & Bandleaders Artists playing original music, holding local residencies, leading bands, and working private or community events around the region.
- Event Curators & Night Organizers Musicians and producers who organize DJ-instrumental nights and independent shows for hip-hop, jazz, soul, funk, rock, and local subcultures.
- Sound Technicians & Production Crew Live audio engineers, lighting technicians, and stage crew who keep shows running every week.
- Live Music Media & Documentation Photographers, videographers, and independent media makers who document and share Sacramento’s live music community.
Our Allies & Partners
A healthy music ecosystem depends on collaboration across the city. We work closely with:
- Small & Mid-Sized Venues Independent venue owners, bookers, bartenders, security staff, and volunteers who provide a home for local music.
- Music Fans & Venue Neighbors Regular concertgoers, neighborhood residents, and community supporters who want to see live culture flourish in Sacramento.
- Civic Leaders & Public Advocates Elected officials, commissioners, city staff who care about the arts, public health advocates, and festival organizers both locally and out of state.
Get Involved with SLAC
Whether you play four shows a month, run sound at a local club, book a neighborhood room, or simply care about live music in Sacramento, your perspective helps us make the case for funding and policy change. Fill out our community form below to join the coalition list and share your role in the local scene.
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