Sustaining Innovation through Collaboration, 15 March 2011, Tate Liverpool

On 15 March, the hub is joining forces with the PRS for Music Foundation to produce Sustaining Innovation through Collaboration, a conference aimed at independent music producers, and programmers, curators and marketeers working in performing and visual arts organisations and museums across the country. Taking place at Tate Liverpool, the event is the closing public event of New Music Plus…North West, a leadership development programme developed in partnership by the hub and the PRS for Music Foundation.

The event will explore how music-led collaborations between independent producers and larger, established arts organisations can catalyse and sustain innovation, and the challenges and considerations they present. Panellists will also explore what the future holds for cross-scale and cross-artform collaboration. The programme will include: high level panels; networking opportunities; the opportunity to hear from key funders, and presentations about New Music Plus?

With the full programme to be announced at the end of the month, panellists confirmed so far include Laura Ducceschi (De La Warr Pavilion), Lindsey Fryer (Tate Liverpool), John Kieffer (Sound and Music) and Joana Seguro (Lumin).

New Music Plus? aims to strengthen leadership skills and cross art-form learning amongst organisations and independent producers that want to develop their approach to programming new music and build new audiences for new music. It responds to needs for work-based training and reflection identified within music and other sectors.

During 2010, New Music Plus?North West supported eight independent producers from the region to develop their creative and business skills and understanding, and work on a series of co-productions with 10 host organisations: Band on the Wall; the Biennial; Bluecoat Arts Centre; Contact Theatre; Cornerhouse; FACT; National Museums Liverpool; the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; Tate Liverpool, and Whitworth Art Gallery. This programme built on learning from a 2009 pilot programme, which ran in London and had as host organisations: the BFI; Big Chill festival; Longplayer Trust; the Roundhouse; Tate Britain; the Serpentine Gallery; Sound and Music, and the South Bank Centre. New Music Plus… North West is supported by Arts Council England, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Sound and Music.

Places for Sustaining Innovation through Collaboration are limited, so early booking is essential. To secure your free place, email luke@prsformusicfoundation.com by 5pm Monday 28th February.