James Burkmar - Associate
James is a key player in the hub’s music and creative industries-focused projects, and in our skills development programmes. Most recently he was part of a team which modelled a new business support programme for music businesses in Yorkshire and has worked with a number of black and minority ethnic organisations to develop their business plans.
James brings a wealth of experience to his role at the hub; his twenty five year career ‘path’ kicked off with a long stint as a professional musician, working with – amongst others - Curtis Mayfield, Aswad, and Johnny Guitar Watson. A period as a promoter in the UK and abroad followed this, whilst at the same time he began to use his musical and communication skills to work as a music leader and facilitator in prisons settings, in other community-based settings and as projects which involved international exchange.
Appointment as head of student liaison for the new Leicester College enabled him to set up an alternative learning support service for the huge diversity of students under enrolment, and to create programmes and engagement around sport and the arts. This led in turn to work to develop a national network of such initiatives with the other colleges across the UK. Attracting attention from educational agencies led to James’ first work as a consultant.
The (old one two) combination of management experience and artform knowledge led next to six years at Arts Council England, first as music officer and then as head of performing arts for the east midlands office.
In 2007, James decided to swap his ACE badge for a lifestyle which would allow him more time to make music, and to (his words) ‘work with brilliant people, projects and partners around the country on music and wider creative industries projects’. the hub gives him these opportunities, although he has to date resisted all our attempts to start a hub band. Watch this space though…
