1.
In March 2010 the Bristol Music Foundation (BMF) launched, ‘Unlocking Potential’ a strategy for the South West Music Forum. The strategy aims to address the question, ‘How can we provide a sustainable system to support an individual, group or organisation to gain reliable access to the national and international music industry no matter where they are in the South West?’
The strategy focuses on music development in the South West of England, and the status and work of the regional music forums. It aims to demonstrate how the local music forums can develop their work both individually and collectively to support the music industry in the South West. It aims to present a potential platform for collaborative working in music across the South West, and offer sustainable links to the commercial music industry and funding agencies and in turn provide paths to industry and artistic excellence for grassroots music in the region.
It follows a period of work since 2006 in which the BMF have aimed to establish partnerships in the UK and overseas to provide opportunities for musicians and music businesses in the South West, and have supported the establishment and development of regional music forums.
The strategy is open until the end of October 2010 and we will publish an initial report at the Music South West 2010 event at the end of November.
In addition, and as part of this initiative, a survey was carried out earlier this year of 160 music businesses in the South West, ‘Music to Market’. The survey asked questions about activity in the region, trading inside and outside the region, turnover and training.
Of those that took the survey;
• 92% wish to see a music development agency for SW music
• 68% would pay for such an organisation.
The combined turnover in the last complete financial year of the 160 individuals and businesses that took the Music To Market survey was £13.5 million. You can download the strategy and read the results from the survey at http://www.bristolmusicfoundation.com/swmf
As part of work on the strategy we would like to ask you a few simple questions and we would very much appreciate it if you could please take a couple of minutes to complete this questionnaire: