Issue details

Our research and evaluation to date highlighted the importance of music:

·       2020 Huddersfield BID – What do you want to see in the town?

o      Respondents stated live music was important to the town.

·       2020 Conversations about music and the Sound Space, 2020, Jean McEwan, as part of the Growing Cultures engagement space within Queensgate Market.

o      There is a huge need and wish to explore, play and listen to music and use it to connect with others.

·       2019 Kirklees Youth Alliance, 2020 Vision:

o   Young people would like provision in the region to include music making activities and singing.

·       2019 Kirklees Libraries, Annual Review 2018-19

o      Delivering high quality live music events for children and young people at Huddersfield Library, offering access to cultural opportunities.

·       2019 Music Festivals Economic Impact report, SPIRUL.

o      £3.4m economic impact of Cleckheaton Folk Festival, hcmf// & Marsden Jazz Festival.

·       2019 Year of Music Consultation Workshops – Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

o      A diverse and community place-based approach was essential, plus the need to improve the infrastructure including a new venue.

·       2019 The Blueprint – a 10-year strategy for the regeneration of Huddersfield.

o      The investment and creation of a music/ events space (Sound Space) was welcomed and supported.

·       2019 360 Approach to Music – Interviews with key decision makers and influencers, Sound Diplomacy.

o      Music was a vehicle to support delivery of various agendas from health, education, community to business.

·       2019 Growing Cultures, Jean McEwan - to explore ideas for what the future culture of Huddersfield look like.

o      There was a strong appetite for opportunities to listen, play and see all kinds of music.

·       2018 Alternative Accommodation Evaluation, Bonner & Hindley – a pilot programme supporting music tourism addressing the lack of Hotel accommodation for visitors to Marsden Jazz Festivaland Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

o    Highlighted potential to increase this to support additional tourism and generate income for the area.

·       2017 Music Infrastructure Survey, Sound Diplomacy.

o      Key strengths identified; recommendations made to address infrastructure restrictions to further embrace the music industry in Kirklees.

·       2017 Kirklees Music Mapping, Fiona Harvey.

o      Overall picture is of a vibrant music scene in Kirklees with ambition and determination to succeed, grow and prosper.

The music policy was supported through a public engagement sessions involved in the supporting research:

o   Music Mapping & Consultation– Fiona Harvey

o   Music Ecosystem Survey (infrastructure focussed) – Sound Diplomacy

Both available here: https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/arts-help-and-advice/pdf/music-policy-with-reports.pdf

·       2015/6 Culture Kirklees consultation.

o      Music was important, resulting in the ‘World Class Music’ outcome.

We have engaged with a broad range of music organisations and groups.

These have included via a number of workings groups (in no particular order):

Radio Sangam, Vinyl Tap, Mrs Sunderland Festival, Yorkshire Sound Women’s Network, University of Huddersfield, Manasamitra, Dark Horse Theatre, EVOKE (the Local Cultural Education Partnership), Netherhall Learning Campus, St Aidan’s Academy, Brockholes School, Woodley School & College, Musica Kirklees, HOOT Creative Arts, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Huddersfield Carnival, Grand Northern Ukulele Festival, Shepley Spring Festival, Conscious Youth, Student’s Union, The Parish, Cleckheaton Music Festival, Marsden Music Festival, BASSment studios, Small Seeds, Northern Quarter, Holmfirth Picturedrome, & Piano Festival, Opera North, Huddersfield Choral Society, Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, Huddersfield Philharmonic Society, Centre for Research in New Music, Virsa, Kirklees Local TV, Huddersfield BID, and Kirklees Council departments – from children’s to Town Halls, Libraries and Museum Service.