Consultancy

Developing 21st Century artists, leaders and organisations
Organisations are incubators for talent, and individuals the power behind these incubators. In the creative sector organisations house, develop and nurture artists and other kinds of cultural leaders; they provide an infrastructure to support creative development, and are the main link between artists and audiences. At the hub we are excited by working with dynamic individuals and organisations to ensure they are forward looking, internally focused and fit for purpose 21st Century organisations.

We have a reputation for integrity, understanding and for saying what we think
We have a strong track record as consultants in the fields of organisational development and business planning, fundraising, marketing, digital technology, legal, international arts development, creative planning and production and education and skills development. We’re known for our integrity, for producing carefully considered, intelligent and innovate, fit-for-purpose and accessible work; for listening and understanding, and for saying what we think.

Our think and do tank model means our tools are sharp and our understanding is keen
As in other areas of our work, the hub’s think and do tank model is crucial in our work as consultants. Because we’re all still active in our own fields of creative expertise, as producers, marketers, fundraisers or education practitioners, our consultancy ‘tools’ are sharp, and our knowledge and contextual understanding totally up to date. That sets us apart from other consultants, whose practical experience was often gained years ago, and whose sectoral understanding is that of an outsider.

We’re ‘multi-lingual’
Because of our varied areas of expertise, and because of the range of work we do, we’re ‘multi-lingual’. We speak and understand the range of ‘languages’ spoken by people working in the public, private and voluntary sectors, and are as happy swopping ideas with individual artists as we are talking policy with senior management teams or public sector agencies.

Our clients are a diverse, but incredibly creative, group of people, and share our commitment to excellence
One of the best things about being part of the hub team is that we get to work with an incredibly diverse range of really creative people – artists, entrepreneurs and individuals working in public or third sector organisations. It makes ‘going to work’ a real joy.

Recent consultancy clients have included industry bodies such as Audiences London for whom we developed a fundraising strategy, and the Association of Independent Music Producers, who we worked with to develop a new digital business support programme for creative businesses; Arts Council England, for whom scoped out how best they can support black and minority ethnic-led organisations in East England; creative businesses, such as Birds Eye View film festival, for whom we developed a fundraising strategy, music producers, Music Beyond Mainstream, who we supported to produce a new business plan, music and disability organisation, Attitude is Everything, who we supported through a year-long change management process, and the Berlin-based industry expo, Womex, who came to us for income generation advice. We’ve also worked with local authorities, such as Canterbury City Council; with education organisations such as Creative Partnerships and Big About Music, and for the world’s biggest rugby club, Leeds Rugby!

Consultancy Projects

» Fame Academy Bursary Scheme Developing and managing the BBC’s music bursary programme

» Attitude is Everything Organisational development for the UK’s leading music and disability organisation

» Jazz Services Reviewing its national touring support programme

» Big About Music Marketing consultancy for this Youth Music Action Zone

» Tête à Tête and The Shout Organisational development for two small companies

» FUSE Leeds Fundraising and sponsorship for the inaugural FUSE festival

» Arts Council England Developing BME arts organisations in east England

» Leeds Rugby Developing their artist in residence programme

» Connect: developing the Guildhall’s outreach project