Music Support Agency List
Last Updated: 16/5/8. This document is available as a PDF here.
Arts Council Wales
The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) is responsible for funding and developing the arts in Wales. It became accountable to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July 1999 when responsibility was transferred from the Secretary of State for Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government provides ACW with money to fund the arts in Wales and, as an Assembly Sponsored Public Body (ASPB), ACW is responsible to the Welsh Assembly Government for the way this money is spent.
ACW is also the distributor of Lottery money for the arts in Wales. National Lottery funds are allocated to ACW by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS),based in London. ACW works with many partners in carrying out its national responsibility for developing and funding the arts in Wales and advising the Welsh Assembly Government on issues associated with the arts. In achieving its aims for the arts in Wales, ACW is indebted to its partners in the professional, community and voluntary arts, local authorities and other sectors for their vital cooperation and contributions.
ACW is managed by its Council, which meets six times a year. Council members are unpaid and appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government. ACW's staff are based in offices in Colwyn Bay, Carmarthen and Cardiff.
British Council
http://www.britishcouncil.org/
We connect people with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK to build lasting relationships around the world.
Business Eye
http://www.businesseye.org.uk/
Business Eye is a free, impartial information service for Wales created to find the answers to your business questions.
Whether you are an established company, a new idea, a sole trader or an employer of hundreds, Business Eye is here to help and can put you in contact with support from the public, private or voluntary sectors.
Business in Focus
http://www.businessinfocus.co.uk/
As one of Wales' leading providers of comprehensive business support services, Business in Focus is dedicated to enabling small and medium sized enterprises either to get off to a flying start or, once established, to grow and develop into sustainable and flourishing businesses. Based in business centres across south east Wales, Business in Focus operates out of Barry, Bridgend, Cardiff, Treforest and the Valleys and is unique in being able to provide 'on your doorstep' support for local businesses.
Buzz Training S&M Training
Overview
Buzz Training offers specific arts, multi-media, publishing and transferable skills to targeted groups via the establishment of an internal magazine and journalism training division. Trainees will receive a combination of taught courses and work placements, leading to a accreditation and qualifications. This is a unique project in Wales and provides a private public partnership to deliver training in response to identified skill shortages in the workforce.
Buzz Magazine
Buzz Magazine is the partner company running alongside Buzz Training. The Magazine has acted as a focal point for promoting up and coming talent in Wales, including: Artists, Musicians, Photographers and has been running commercially for 16 years.
Aims
The project will improve skill levels, providing both intermediate and higher level vocational training for the media industry and developing confidence, self-esteem and motivational skills amongst people marginalised from the labour market. Activity has the potential to translate into qualifications, part time, or full time jobs or self - employment.
Target Groups
The project is aimed at a number of specific target groups: 18 plus undergraduates, continuing professional development, from colleges and universities, Secondary Education (14-16 year olds) to encourage and motivate young adults to consider self – employment, and also to encourage this field as a future career for school leavers.
Outreach
Outreach and Education activities will be fundamental to the aims and work of Buzz Training, we aim to involve people who would normally not participate in ‘the arts’ or other creative activities, or who are excluded from involvement in mainstream cultural programmes.
Course Design
Each module is based around the development of specific artistic activity and will be delivered by trainers, the majority of whom are respected artists in their given field. The commercial/business element of each module is only present to provide a pragmatic underpinning for artists to enhance their artistic employability. It is secondary to the actual artistic element of the modules, which are designed to develop specific artistic practice and provide skills to enhance creative opportunities open to beneficiaries.
Careers Wales
Careers Wales is an all-Wales service that gives people of all ages free careers information, advice and guidance.
Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Careers Wales was set up in 2001 bringing together six careers companies across Wales under one name.
Our work contributes to the Welsh Assembly Government's Lifelong Learning Agenda, encouraging people to engage in learning, skills, and career development, leading to economic prosperity for individuals and the nation as a whole
Community Music Wales
http://www.communitymusicwales.co.uk/
Contribute to the empowerment of disadvantaged groups and individuals through enabling them to participate in creativity and learning, initially and primarily through participation in music making.
Host music workshops across Wales, train music tutors and have Welsh language label – Ciwdod – co-funded by WLB.
Creative Business Wales
http://www.ibwales.com/server.php?show=nav.4308
The aims of Creative Business Wales:
* Support and encourage those Wales-based creative businesses that can make a significant contribution to the economy in Wales particularly through the retention and exploitation of intellectual property (IP).
* Stimulate growth in the creative industries in Wales, both by encouraging more inward investment, and encouraging more business to Wales.
* Want to get 50% more creative businesses exporting and 20% more creative IP retained in Wales
* Now also focusing on increased exports to England
Creative and Cultural Skills
Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council that represents employers in Advertising, Craft, Cultural Heritage, Design, Music and the Visual, Literary and Performing Arts. We are a campaigning body and provide the link between industry, government and education. CC Skills is responsible for the new website www.creative-choices.co.uk which is a portal for people involved or currently involved in the sector.
Cyfansoddwyr Cymru/Composers of Wales
Cyfansoddwyr Cymru/Composers of Wales is a professional association. We aim to serve all the composers of Wales, both professional and students, in all genres of music, with associate membership for supporting organisations and individuals. We are a bilingual organisation, and our membership, based all over Wales, is building steadily.
* We offer our members support and professional services such as information and advice on commissioning, professional opportunities, and we make it our business to let the music world know who offers what in Wales. A bilingual booklet of advice for first-time commissioners, So you want to commission a composer?, is available free to all enquirers. We press for programming of members' work.
* Our quarterly Newsletter publishes listings as well as information on opportunities for composers, including details of interested performers, and of course news of our activities.
* We have links with Festivals, in particular the Bangor New Music Festival and the Vale of Glamorgan Festival, and we keep in touch with the National Assembly Government, the Arts Council of Wales, and also with the WJEC on the place of Welsh music in the school curriculum in Wales.
DCELLS
http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/departments/dcells/?lang=en
Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. Part of Welsh Assembly Government.
DE+T
http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/departments/dein/?lang=en
Department of Economy & Transport, part of WAG.
Finance Wales / IP Fund
ww.financewales.co.uk
Finance Wales provides commercial funding to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) throughout Wales, enabling them to realise their potential for innovation and growth.
* Finance Wales provides loan and equity funding to small and medium-sized businesses, £10k - £1m
* Administrate the £7m Creative IP fund
* Part of the Xenos Business Angels network
Go Wales
http://www.gowales.co.uk/
Graduate Opportunities Wales is an employability and business development programme that encourages businesses and graduates in Wales to get the most out of working together. GO Wales better prepares students and graduates for work and their future career. In so doing, the programme contributes significantly to the economic development of Wales: business can access the skills they need to grow and succeed.
* Match small businesses in Wales with graduates that are looking for placements
* Businesses take on graduate for 6-10 weeks paying £230 pw which GOWales subsidises by £90
* In 2007 there were over 700 placements and 73% of the graduates were kept on.
* If kept on also off £500 to business for further training and development
* Also coordinate work tasters
Grassroots
www.grassrootscardiff.com
At Grassroots we endeavour to instill optimism and to promote self-awareness and self-worth in young people who often see themselves in a negative light. Training and experience in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere is available in the areas of Music, Video, Computers, Graphics and various other events and activities. These can lead to qualifications or a progression to other more advanced facilities.
The digital recording studio and live rehearsal room deals with inspired young people, where all genres and fresh ideas are treated with respect and care by a friendly and enthusiastic producer. Experienced in Pro Tools, Cubase, Reason and with an extended repertoire and open mind, all songs come to life proud to be used as demos for DJ's and promoters. There is also a low cost Coffee Bar where young people are welcome to drop in to socialize or find out more about current activities or workshops. Grassroots Advice Office provides a free drop-in service, where youth specific advice is available.
The Project aims to listen to young people's problems and help solve them together. We always welcome new faces and ideas.
Immtech
Music and multimedia technology training in Cardiff, founded by musician and BBC Wales presenter John Lenney Jr. Find out more about Immtech's courses in audio engineering, DJ skills, radio production and MIDI technology. The website outlines the facilities available, and also includes a message board and classified section.
Have done courses for Careers Wales, Jobcentre Plus, Dells, Princes Trust, Cardiff Council.
Live Music Now!
Live Music Now was founded in 1977 by the legendary violinist, Yehudi Menuhin and his friend Ian Stoutzker. Menuhin knew from his own experience that music transcends all barriers of language, illness and disability. For people whose lives are particularly challenging or stressful, involvement in live music brings immense pleasure as well as therapeutic and educational benefits.
The scheme takes performances of the highest musical quality to a wide variety of settings across the UK, particularly to those places where experiencing music performed live is rarely part of daily life. Live Music Now musicians come from a range of musical traditions: classical Western music, world music, jazz, rock and folk.
The warmth and immediacy of the response musicians receive from participants reinforces their belief in the power of music and is a wonderful creative stimulus. They also develop new skills and learn to communicate effectively with a vast range of different people. For this they receive a fee and expenses for each engagement providing them with valuable employment.
We have more than 320 young professional musicians on our books. Last year we reached some 200,000 people by organising around 3,000 concerts and workshops throughout the UK and Ireland. Live Music Now continues to grow both in the scope of its activities as well as in the number of people it is able to reach
MASE
www.mase.org.uk
MASE is a community music charity working across North Wales. We offer high quality facilities and activities that encourage active interest in live music and creative arts through participation in safe, affordable and accessible environments.
It is our aim to give people the space and facilities to explore their creativity through music and performance.
Through our community music centres (which house professional rehearsal and recording facilities) and also through outreach work; MASE tailors projects, delivers workshops and tuition and stages performances for anyone who wants to get involved.
To date we have supported many, many people from all sections of our community in an ever increasing and diverse range of projects. From choirs to gig nights for upcoming young bands; parent & toddler groups to acoustic club nights; original plays and musicals to film projects and podcasts; MASE is supporting people across North Wales to get involved and be creative.
Menter Iaith
www.menteriaith.org
What is a Menter Iaith?
A Menter (pl. Mentrau) Iaith, or language initiative, is a local organisation which offers support to communities to increase and develop their use of the Welsh language. A Menter Iaith usually services a whole county, and it reflects the wish of local people to make more use of the language. A Menter will offer advice and assistance to individuals, organisations and businesses, and will organise activities to raise the profile of the Welsh language.You will find information about Welsh and bilingual services and provision in your area, and how to find it. This is the one-stop-shop for the Welsh language in your area! By now there is a network of Mentrau Iaith across Wales, and it's very likely there is a Menter in your area.
What do the Mentrau Iaith do?
Your Menter will offer you practical advice and help which is often free of charge. Each Menter offers a variety of services, depending on local requirements, such as –
Advice :
* to new parents on raising their children bilingually
* to public and voluntary organisations on how to increase their use of Welsh
* to businesses eager to begin to offer a bilingual service to their customers
* On Welsh medium education
Activities:
* social and leisure opportunities for children and young people to use their Welsh
* opportunities for Welsh learners to use their Welsh outside the classroom
* undertaking short translation work or putting you in touch with a translator
* working in partnership with local organisations to offer social activities
Music library Service at Central Library
http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/libraries/
The Music library service at Cardiff Central Library offers a complete service for anyone with an interest in music. We have thousands of items for loan (not just CDs and books!) and can offer an amazing depth of knowledge and services.
What's available?
* Music CDs - There are over 18,000 CDs to choose from, including Pop, Jazz, Country, Folk, Blues, World Music, Classical, Welsh and Soundtracks, as well as Sound Effects and Relaxation.
* Music Videos and DVDs - Opera, Musicals, Tutors & Pop concerts and biographical films
* Books - Pop music, Blues, Folk, Jazz, Country & Classical, World Music, Classical, Opera,Music Theory, Learning to read Music, to name but a few.
* Scores - Pop, Classical, Instrument Tutors, Full Size and Miniature Scores
Remember, there is no charge for placing reservations on items (including CDs) that are currently on loan to other borrowers. You can make reservations online through the electronic library catalogue, fill in a reservation card while visiting the library, or by phoning or emailing us. We can also arrange for requests to be sent to your nearest local branch library for collection and all items can be returned to any Cardiff branch.
We also have:
* Performance Sets - We hold a number of vocal and orchestral sets that are available to hire free of charge to choirs and other music societies in the Cardiff area. We are also able to hire sets that we don't stock from other libraries. See our page on performance sets for full details.
* Magazines - A range of magazines covering all areas of music
* Information - Directories, Music Organisations Tutors Files
* Music Events - Notice Boards advertising local events, space to advertise for band members, leaflets etc.
The Musicians Union
http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/
The Musicians' Union represents over thirty thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business.
As well as negotiating on behalf of our members with all the major employers in the industry, we offer a range of services for professional, semi professional and student musicians of all ages, including free contract and legal advice, standard MU agreements, Public Liabilty and equipment insurances, career advice, fee collection and distribution, rights protection and much more.
There are 3,300 members in Wales &SW region covered by Cardiff office, of which 1,220 are based in Wales.
Now also produce a pack for music teachers – MU are the recognised trade union for peripatetic music teachers.
Heading the ‘Use It Or Lose It' campaign for rights to return to original creaors if not being exploited.
Offering ‘Rockschool Teaching Diplomas', closely developed with MU, to MU members at discounted rate (www.rockschool.co.uk)
National Youth Arts Wales
www.nyaw.co.uk
National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) is jointly managed by the WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee) and the Welsh Amateur Music Federation (WAMF). The WJEC looks after the National Youth Dance, Youth Orchestra and Youth Theatre programmes, whilst WAMF is responsible for the Youth Brass Band, Youth Choir, Youth Jazz, Symphonic Brass and Youth Wind Orchestra. All ensembles run annual residential courses at various points throughout the year incorporating young people from around Wales with ages ranging from 13-21 with all members having to audition each year. Each of the ensembles performs in venues across Wales with the Music ensembles undertaking regular European and International tours. The orchestra, in addition to the Summer Course offers an annual collaboration with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, taking the form of a three day course the NYOW members benefit from working alongside their professional counterparts towards a gala concert at the end of the project.
NESTA
NESTA is National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts.
NESTA exists to find the most effective ways of encouraging talent and innovation for national benefit:
* We develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes of the innovators of tomorrow
* We help shape national and regional policies that support and encourage innovation
* We create models and initiatives to test and deliver best practice in innovation
* We fund and support innovative early-stage businesses
New Deal for Musicians
(No website)
Aspiring musicians all over Wales are being given the chance to follow their hearts desire and enter into a career in the music industry through New Deal for Musicians (NDfM) – a scheme run through Jobcentre Plus. The programme is open to those who are unemployed and have signed up to New Deal through their local Jobcentre, and are passionate about having a serious career doing what they love most.
NDfM caters for all types of music, from rock and pop to jazz and classical, and also for those who want to work in a more behind the scenes role, such as editing, producing and composing.
Promo Cymru
ProMo is a Co-operative and Social Enterprise Agency, our principle aim is to develop young people to their fullest by providing business support and advice whilst encouraging them to engage in social and cultural entrepreneurship. Through providing advice and resources to those wishing to work towards developing their potential and skills whilst inputting into the development of their communities ProMo Cymru ultimately creates sustainable social economy SMEs and projects. Together with the Objective One development we run various projects and offer many training strands to our clients.
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
www.rwcmd.ac.uk
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is the National Conservatoire of Wales and part of the University of Glamorgan group. It contributes to the cultural identity of Cardiff and Wales and attracts some of the most gifted students from around the world. RWCMD is a member of the Conference of Drama Schools, Conservatoires UK and the Association of European Conservatoires.
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama offers high-quality training and resources, a life-enhancing curriculum and achieves the highest possible standards, which are accessible to all.
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama produces graduates who are articulate, thinking and innovative in their art forms and offers the music and theatre industries a regular and highly skilled workforce.
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama contributes to, influences and fosters the cultural and artistic life of Wales and beyond, and can represent Wales on the world stage.
SONIG Youth Music Industry
www.sonig.org.uk
The SONIG Youth Music Industry Programme is part of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Councils Cultural Services Department. It utilises the strengths of the music industry in Wales to support the personal, learning and career development needs of young people aged between 8 and 25 in Rhondda Cynon Taff. It is funded through a Cymorth service level agreement with the councils' Fframwaith partnership.
A range of opportunities led by music industry professionals is provided in partnership with youth and community organisations, schools and Coleg Morgannwg.These activities enable young people to create original music, participate in rock and pop and to learn about and access the music industry.
SONIG also works closely with a number of strategic partners such as The Pop Factory, the Welsh Music Foundation, Community Music Wales and GTFM radio as well as with local rehearsal spaces and studios.
Individuals and bands involved in the local music scene are supported in their development through workshops, events, music industry seminars, courses and networking opportunities and individual music mentoring and guidance is also available for a limited number of individuals.
SONIG supports the development of a working music industry in Wales as part of an emerging South Wales cluster of local authority Arts services and strategic Music Industry organisations and umbrella bodies.
In partnership with and through supporting independent managers, promoters, young entrepreneurs, private and public sector bodies, the long term aim is to develop a working music industry in the area, providing career pathways and contributing to the emerging Welsh Music Industry.
For more information about SONIG please contact:
Tanya Walker – SONIG Youth Music Industry Co-ordinator,
Rhondda Cynon Taff.County Borough Council, Cultural Services, Llwyn Castan, Library Road, Pontypridd CF37 2YA.
Associated to SONIC is "South Wales New Music Forum":
Formed in July 2006, the South Wales New Music Steering Group brings together local authority and voluntary sector arts officers responsible for music industry development within South Wales. It creates opportunities for cross county partnership working, leading to new projects, initiatives and events as well as improved learning and career pathway opportunities for young people within the music industry and within community music development. By providing a clear communication mechanism between councils and other organisations, the South Wales New Music Steering Group aims to highlight the importance of new music provision in the lives of young people, informing and impacting new music and music industry developments in a local and national context and contributing towards the vision of a working music industry within Wales.
trac – Music Traditions Wales/Traddodiadau Cerdd Cymru
trac is Wales' Folk Development organisation; its rôle to promote and develop the music and dance traditions of Wales - both within Wales and beyond. trac came about through a shared belief in the unique qualities of traditional cultures, an awareness of their continuing relevance to the present, and a passion for sharing what music traditions have to offer.
With support from the Arts Council of Wales, trac provides an information service, a free magazine (Ontrac), and a website listing performers, events and contacts.
On a local level, trac works in partnership to run or support projects on traditional/folk music and song in schools and communities. Nationally, it organises training and events for musicians, and forums to discuss issues which matter to the folk world, as well as lobbying at governmental level. Internationally, trac represents traditional music from Wales in global networks.
Ty Cerdd/WAMF/WMIC
Umbrella organisation for Welsh Amateur Music Federation, Welsh Music Information Centre etc.
WAMF - The Federation was formed in 1969 and serves nearly 400 amateur music-making societies throughout Wales, including operatic societies, brass bands, choirs, folk song and dance groups and youth music ensembles, representing some 25,000 performers.
WMIC - The Welsh Music Information Centre (WMIC) aims to support and promote all genres of Welsh music. It collects and holds research scores of Welsh composers, recordings of Welsh music and reference materials, and provides an information service on music in Wales. WMIC works with other organisations in offering support to composers by encouraging, promoting and advertising performances.
* Have Federation library of mainly choral music.
* Help support Curriculum Cymraeg.
* Spend circa £9k per year on commissioning new works.
* In-house researcher looking into life and woks of Welsh composers.
* International links with 42 other International Music Information Centres and are hosting the annual international conference for these agencies this year
* Have recording studio, working with young groups in particular.
* More and more new organisations becoming affiliated with Ty Cerdd.
Wales Arts International
www.wai.org.uk
Wales Arts International is a partnership between the Arts Council of Wales and British Council Wales: it works to promote knowledge about contemporary culture from Wales and encourage international exchange and collaboration. Through the encouragement of our projects and initiatives, we aim to help build a dynamic international context to the arts in Wales.
Wales Arts International works to support the promotion and development of professional practice across all artforms, providing information about the arts in Wales for cultural organisations and practitioners overseas, and supporting international opportunities through our programmes and funding schemes.
Established in 1997, Wales Arts International was set up out of recognition that both Wales's profile overseas and the development of international working would be best served through a joint agency that provided a single access point for presenters, programmers and practitioners alike.
* New 5 year strategy to rework the service in place from 1st April – draft strategy currently out for consultation
* WAI will now fundraise and have even stronger ties with British Council
* Particularly strong links with Quebec at this time
* Currently administrating one small grant: the International Opportunities Fund that can help with travel expenses to enable artists to take up opportunities overseas.
Wales Council for Voluntary Action
WCVA is the voice of the voluntary sector in Wales. We represent and campaign for voluntary organisations, volunteers and communities.
Bwrdd Yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Board)
http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/
The Welsh Language Board is a statutory organisation, funded by the National Assembly for Wales. It was established in December 1993 under the terms of the Welsh Language Act. Its main function is to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language.
* 2005 publish the Youth Strategy that looks to encourage young people to use their language outside of a school setting. Music important part of this.
* Fund projects partnered with CMW and WMF
* Coordinate an annual band schools tour
Welsh Music Foundation
http://www.welshmusicfoundation.com/
WMF exists to assist in the development of the music industry in Wales by way of specialist business support and industry led representation and infrastructure.
If you are a music related business, start-up or you are simply interested in the career opportunities that the Welsh music industry offers, WMF provides free advice, support and up-to-date information.
The maintenance and development of our WMF Stakeholder Group is one of our key responsibilities. The provision of support to our stakeholders, SMEs and Start ups includes all Welsh language music businesses where we continue to implement the work of WMF's Welsh Language Strategy. Being so close to our stakeholders, indeed all welsh based music businesses, enables us to highlight appropriate opportunities to Creative Business Wales in terms of significant or major music projects. Furthermore, this qualifies us to best represent the Welsh Music Industry on The Music Business Forum, Creative and Cultural Skills, and other relevant bodies.
Youth Music Action Zones
There are two in Wales, in Merthyr Tydfil and Ynys Mon
The impact of the 20 Youth Music Action Zones established across England has motivated an anonymous donor to contribute £260k for the setting up of two Action Zones in Wales. Youth Music is extremely grateful for the support of the Welsh Arts Council in Cardiff, which helped identify these as areas that would benefit most from its investment.
