Thank you to everyone who took time to complete our phase one survey into music in Kirklees. We found the feedback to be really useful, insightful and refreshingly honest. The headlines of the research will be shared very soon!
However, one key area of concern was in terms of music venues, studios and rehearsal rooms. As a consequence, we are launching a second phase research project to look at music infrastructure. We are working with Sound Diplomacy to undertake a further survey to find out more in order, and to get recommendations on what can be done by specialists in music development.
We have written to a number of places directly, however, you can also access the questions here:
https://goo.gl/forms/yUiykVbgDFUvJb5G2
So, why are we doing this?
The reason we are doing this work is to identify what are the key barriers and issues so that we can develop a shared solution. Music is important to Kirklees it is part of our heritage and is part of our future. And The Creative Economy Team has a goal of supporting the development of a Music Development Plan for Kirklees – and we will need your help to do this.
Will this lead to an increase or reinstatement of Council funding? The short answer is no.
Kirklees Council, like many public sector services are facing an unprecedented challenge and pressure on budgets, as has been widely publicised.
If you want to know more, please have a look at this short clip on the Council’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuSXA18Ic5A
That said we will use the Music Plan to make the case nationally for investment in music, and work with a number of national music agencies to bring their attention, focus and energy into the district.
Will this change anything? We hope so!
Using the information gathered from these surveys we can understand the barriers that get in the way of music making in the district. By working together, we can help to find solutions to over-come issues and support the development of music.
For example, if we know promotion is an issue, what solutions can we do together to promote the music in the district as a whole and grow our collective audiences? What can we share, in terms of infrastructure and knowledge, to reduce costs and share skills? How can we work together to increase the commercial viability of events?
Furthermore, by banging the drum for music in Kirklees to national funding bodies and music agencies, we would hope to attract investment from other sources.
Our collective voice is much stronger and the information you provide starts this journey.
Will you see an instant change? Maybe not - But we may be able to identify quick wins to get things moving.
What can you do to keep informed? Sign up for the Creative Kirklees newsletter to ensure you receive the latest information!
Thank you again for your time, we do appreciate it!
For more information visit https://goo.gl/forms/yUiykVbgDFUvJb5G2