Our last MSF meeting took place in May at Bristol's South West Sound convention and if you'd like to see the minutes please mail us here - contact the MSF
2. Some news from across the regions
North East – Generator
As well as trailblazing for music development in the North East of England they have produced a very entertaining read in their free street mag called 'The Gen' aimed at the grass roots and its support activities. You can subscribe for your free copy here
Their Evolution programme of courses and seminars is a 10 week - one day a week programme with aim of increasing
the chances of music businesses succeeding whilst creating more opportunities for the region's music industry to grow.
Check their website for more details.
London - Music Tank
The F Word: Monetising Filesharing - An Industry Solution
This think tank will focus on what is perhaps the single most pressing issue facing the
recorded music industry today - how to finally run with something most of us or our kids do,
license it and help it grow. Yes it’s the F word: Filesharing.
Date: Jul 05, 2007 from 18:30 to 21:00
Venue: Private Room, Bertorelli Bar & Restaurant, 11-13 Frith Street, Soho, London
Location: On the corner of Frith and Bateman Street. Tube - Tottenham Court Rd.
Cost: Standard: £30.00, Trade Body Members: £25.00, Members: £20.00
Keynote Speaker: Fred Bolza - Broadcast Online Development Director, MCPS-PRS Alliance
Panel: Paul Hitchman - Co-Founder and MD, Playlouder MSP / Malcolm Hutty - Head of Public Affairs, London Internet Exchange (Linx) / Jon Salmon - Head of Broadband Content & New Platforms, Tiscali / Richard Gooch - Director of Technology, IFPI
Chairman: Keith Harris - Keith Harris Music Ltd / MusicTank Chairman / PPL Director.
For further info on this weeks MT event surf this way
Midlands, Brimingham – The Music Network
The Music Network has pulled together a community of independent music organisations, based in the West Midlands. Established in 2000, they offer access to some of the most innovative and exciting new contemporary music being produced today.
The Music Network organises a OPEN NETWORKING EVENT on the last Thursday of each month, 4-6pm at The Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) Millennium Point, Birmingham.
(For directions tel: 08712 262725)
If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you just want the free tea and biscuits and some quality entertainment...you are all invited.
The Music Network is a voluntary, not for profit, social enterprise organisation seeking charitable status. "we", "our" and "us" means The Music Network.
Check out their MySpace on above link
South & South West – Bristol Music Foundation //
Dartington Plus
Dartington Plus & the BMF are running the following industry seminar and workshops in the south west, Financing your career (Colston Hall, Bristol) and Flexing your skills in the market
If you are based in the South West and are wanting to further your career, or even start in the music industry please get in touch with these fellas, they can help.
goNorth - Scotland
From all reports the event put on by Shaun Arnold was a big success. Nice one to all that particpated. Check out this report on the antics from Alabama 3, The Cuban Brothers, The Charlatans and 2ManyDJs.- Review of the goNorth Festival, Inverness Scotland
Northwest – Music Development Agency
Following the findings of the Burns Owens report commissioned by ACE NW in partnership with the NWDA , the MDA is aiming to develop a model to provide and drive strategic support mechanisms to strengthen the NW's music industry cluster. ACE NW is financing this work.
14 bands from Liverpool and the North West played at the SXSW event this year and really did the region proud which is being followed up nicely by the Manchester International Festival
who have provided a platform for artists from and outside of the region.
East Midlands - EMMnet
The East Midlands Dvelopment agency covering Derby, Northampton Leicester and Nottinghamshire is running a range of events the next one being a a hosted by the Musicians Union, titled:
Calling All Musicians - Turned On?
Come and learn about the opportunities for musicians promoting, marketing, selling and distributing music using the Internet.
Guest speaker Andrew Dubber, Senior Lecturer in Music Industries, UCE:more info
Includes an Expert Advice Panel, 1-2-1 advice and an opportunity to network with other musicians.
Thursday 19th July 5.30 - 8.30pm @ Half-Time Orange, 121 Burnmoor Street, Leicester LE2 7JL
To book your place, e-mail midlandsevents@musiciansunion.org.uk or telephone 0121 622 3870
This event is free to members of the Musicians' Union and only £5 to non-members (refundable if you join on the day).
3. Other associated news
Creative Economy Programme - Work Foundation Report
The electronic version of “Staying Ahead: the economic performance of the UK’s creative industries” is now availablefor download by clicking click here.
MESSAGE FROM SHAUN WOODWARD MP, MINISTER FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND TOURISM
"This document was produced by The Work Foundation and represents both a major analysis of the Creative Industries and their inter relation with the broader UK economy.
I wanted to thank you for your help and contributions over the last year which enabled the production of this economic narrative of The Work Foundation. I hope you will be able to find time to respond to the ideas and challenges which are set up by “Staying Ahead”.
Over the coming months we will continue with the Creative Economy Programme building on the analysis from the respective Working Groups last summer, the seminars and summits over the last six months and The Work Foundation’s analysis, which will work towards the Green Paper later in the year.
I believe the recognition of the importance of the Creative Industries in the UK’s economy is now being firmly established. The undertaking that this sector is comparable with Financial Services which as a sector employs nearly 2 million people (and continues to grow at nearly twice the rate of growth of the rest of the economy) should ensure that appropriate and significant attention will be given to creating the framework for improving cultural and economic performance."
4. MSF Action
NIMIC have supplied us with this template for their music support agency which has worked well for them in Northern Ireland.
NIMIC was set up in consultation and partnership with the private and public sector stakeholders in Northern Ireland to act as the ‘Sectoral Lead Body’ for music industry development.
Its mission statement is to: Accelerate the development of a sustainable music industry in Northern Ireland.
NIMIC’s key strategic areas of delivery are:
Creative Skills Development: NIMIC provide a high quality arts business training programme and career development programme. This strand of policy includes the delivery of a programme of workshops, seminars, mentoring, master classes and residential initiatives that provide experienced advice and guidance on key creative skills including songwriting/composition/studio production etc
Business Skills Development: NIMIC provide a high quality arts creative training programme and career development programme. This strand of policy includes the delivery of a programme of workshops, seminars and master classes that provide experienced advice and guidance on key music business skills including management, promotion, marketing, legal issues, digital marketing and distribution, general business planning and practices.
Regional and International Marketing:
In line with its marketing priorities, NIMIC provide an annual programme towards maximising showcase opportunities for Northern Ireland artists and their work both at home and abroad. These opportunities cover the complete spectrum of career development opportunities from local urban and rural showcasing support for aspirant artists to high profile international artist showcasing support at key music industry events.
It also includes the production and promotion of digitally enhanced genre specific compilation CDs. The organisation also continues to develop the nimusic.com website as the key contemporary music portal in Northern Ireland. NB: The website receives 50,000 visitors per month and provides a powerful promotional capability and an informative hub for the sector.
Key to all of these strands of activity is:
The maintenance and development of productive working relationships with a wide range of national and international organizations.
The maintenance and development of relationships with all of the relevant sectoral practitioners and organizations within our region to maximize outreach to and feedback from the sector that we service.
Budgeting and Monitoring:
The organisation’s budgeting process is controlled through regular monthly reviews and reports to the board of directors who meet on a monthly basis. NIMIC are audited independently and annually, we also employ fully computerised accounting procedures. NIMIC also ensures project by project monitoring, reporting to funders on a quarterly basis. We also require those to whom we offer support to report in detail on their delivery.
All of NIMIC’s initiatives and events are monitored and evaluated through participant feedback – This process helps to inform the organisation as to effectiveness of past and current programmes and to the generation of new programmes of activity.
For more news from NIMIC click here
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If their are any other examples of good practice you can share or relevant news affecting the music development sector let us know and we will publish your thoughts, views and rants.
Pete
