Promoter Platform

In 2004 Arts Council England, East Midlands commissioned the hub to research and develop a professional development programme for urban music promoters and producers. We were asked to map activity and need in the region, and to develop and evaluate a programme based on what we found.

Following consultation with promoters, producers and training providers we developed a two-tier programme, called Promoter Platform, aimed at promoters and producers at different stages of their careers. The programme content and the participants reflected the importance to the music industry of grass roots ‘shapeshifters’; individuals who are defying old style industry models, to link artists with venues, audiences and other artists regionally, nationally and internationally.

The first programme strand was a four-session training course, and was marketed via a viral email campaign. The course covered the areas people told us they most needed help with: sponsorship and fundraising, marketing and PR, financial management plus industry-related subjects such as protecting intellectual property, publishing, negotiating deals and media partnerships. We planned each session around the specific needs of the 20-strong group, and invited leading industry figures as guest speakers to broaden the group’s network as well as their knowledge. This group met every month, and rapidly formed itself into a powerhouse network. New projects have been created, partnerships formed and friendships made; it is one of the most dynamic groups of people we’ve ever worked with.

The second programme strand was a bursary scheme, aimed at more established promoters and producers. Our three bursary recipients, from The Y Theatre in Leicester, Derby Dance and Raw Talent in Nottingham, worked with us to develop a totally bespoke bursary scheme, which offered them opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and networks. The scheme we developed with them included an award of £2500, a mentoring programme and action research project, underpinned by each participant?s individual learning plan. Following their involvement in the project, two of the bursary recipients moved on to more senior jobs in the arts, and the other has significantly stepped up, and expanded, his company?s activity.

The learning we did on this project has significantly informed our development of the Own Industry project, through which we have developed a framework for business development of music businesses in the East Midlands.