the blog

Mentoring, Imposter Syndrome, Role Models and More – Report from the Liverpool Open Space

So, exactly how can we how we can begin to tackle inequality in the music industry? This question was the focus of a day of discussion, reflection and debate at the wonderful Constellations in Liverpool last Saturday. A small but select gathering of musicians, promoters, journalists and researchers came together for the second of our […]Read More

Unity Theatre – HackStage Ideas Lab

Imagine the scene – 25 or so of the UK’s most curious and forward thinking theatre makers, creative technologists and technicians, gathered together at Unity Theatre, Liverpool for 3 days of plotting and conspiring, eating and drinking, thinking and doing. All in the name of exploring the next frontiers of live theatre, and how digital […]Read More

Sound and Music – Programme Strategy Development

In May 2009, the hub was appointed by the newly formed Sound and Music organisation to work with its nascent ‘programme’ team, to develop a programme strategy for 2009-10. At this point, SaM was still a fledgling organisation, formed out of the merger of a number of contemporary music and sound art organisations. Over the […]Read More

Roundhouse Call to Create evaluation strategy

During an 8 month period in 2015, we worked with members of the Roundhouse team to help them develop an evaluation strategy and plan for the Roundhouse-led global Call to Create network of young theatre makers. We were also asked to create a range of evaluation support materials. Key tasks included: devising an evaluation plan […]Read More

Dartington Hall: producing the INTERROGATE! festival

In 2011 and 2012, the hub worked with Dartington Hall, to curate and produce a new event called INTERROGATE! Part festival, part conference, part retreat, Interrogate was intended as a new way of engaging individuals and organisations alike in addressing social justice issues. Our brief as creative producers was slightly out of the ordinary: in […]Read More

Greater London Authority Mayor’s Music Education Summit

In January 2009, the hub curated the Mayor of London’s first ever Music Education Summit. 180 people working across the music education sector in London – musicians, music services, orchestras and other music organisations, promoters, music colleges, funders and policy makers – came together at City Hall. The purpose of the day? To inform the […]Read More

National Campaign for the Arts: Arts Index compilation and launch

In 2011, we worked with the National Campaign for the Arts to produce and oversee the launch of the first ever UK Arts Index. Bringing together key data about the sector’s health for the first time ever, the inaugural Arts Index plots trends in tickets sales, corporate sponsorship, philanthropy and public sector funding, as well […]Read More

Yorkshire Forward and Arts Council England: New Yorkshire Music business development programme

“You’ve got to try and throw this party just as far as you can. Open your heads like a satellite.” Saturday Night, Kaiser Chiefs With the creative industries riding high on the region’s political agenda – at least temporarily – Yorkshire Forward (the then regional development agency) and Arts Council England asked the hub to […]Read More

Creative Connexions: Music Connections business development programme

the hub was asked by Northamptonshire creative development agency, Creative Connexions, to develop and deliver a professional development programme aimed at producers, label bosses, promoters and managers, based in Northamptonshire. The programme had two strands: one a training programme, aimed at emerging industry talent, and the other a bursary programme, aimed at more experienced industry […]Read More

RE-SET: virtual action learning for artists and creative freelancers

RE:SET is a virtual action learning programme for creative freelancers, artists and other creative entrepreneurs based in England. Designed in response to Covid 19, it brings together peers from across the sector to help each other explore their challenges, opportunities and dilemmas and unlock new insights.Read More