THE people behind Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 want to understand its music scene better ahead of the big year.
So they have hired advisers to assess how it can be improved – and how any barriers to progress for musical talent can be removed.
They are calling it a “pre-2021 health-check to understand the wider value and impact that music has on the city so it can play a major role in UK City of Culture and ensure that there is a lasting legacy.”
The Coventry City of Culture Trust is working with Sound Diplomacy, a ‘global adviser to music cities’ on understanding the current market place, barriers, issues and challenges.
They will put forward recommendations for how the city can ‘cement its status as a Music City’, with a clear action plan for 2021 and beyond.
It will look at the value of music has on a city’s people, its identity and its visitor and working economy.
Sound Diplomacy, which has worked with cities such as London, Vancouver and New Orleans, will carry out a qualitative and quantitative research process into everything from performance, recording and rehearsal space through to business and educational institutions that are involved in music.
Music industry roundtables are being held on Monday, September 23, and Tuesday, September 24.
Sound Diplomacy is also very keen to hear from anyone that wants to log their activity and register their work in the music sector, by making submissions online at www.sounddiplomacy.com/coventry
Jon Davis, Senior Producer at Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “Coventry is a music city, it has a rich music history and people from the city have created many firsts so music will be a key element of our programme in 2021.
“This health-check will be extremely detailed to ensure any issues and gaps across the music sector in the city are identified ahead of our year as UK City of Culture.”
Danny Keir at Sound Diplomacy, said: “Through this music sector health-check we will acknowledge the barriers to establishing a resilient and sustainable future for the music communities and movements, and support Coventry in developing a music legacy that everyone can be proud of.”
