Music board launched to aid Sheffield’s ‘huge musical potential’
Mayor of Sheffield Dan Jarvis and industry-funded body UK Music have come together to launch the Music Board, aiming to project the city’s “huge musical potential onto the national stage”.
The new initiative will help to “harness the talent and ambition of all those who are passionate about music, from primary school-aged children right up to established musicians”.
Mayor Jarvis said: “Our region is blessed with musical talent, with great venues large and small. I know that there is more we could do to ensure we promote these strengths nationally and internationally, creating a stronger culture of creativity and talent development and growing the creative industries’ contribution to our economy.
“With this in mind I am partnering with UK Music to establish a Music Board for our region. Taking its inspiration from similar initiatives in London, Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, we will aim high – projecting our region’s huge musical potential onto the national stage, helping to grow our economy and creating new opportunities for our talent to shine.”
The Music Board will be made up of public and private sector representatives including the Mayor, Jo Wingate of Sensoria Festival, Timm Cleasby of Tramlines and Labour MP for Heeley Louise Haigh. The Music Board will explore how people across South Yorkshire, including musicians, venues, local authorities and politicians, can work together to champion talent and use these strengths to grow the local economy.
CEO of UK Music Mr Dugher said: “Sheffield has produced some exceptional talent which has brought enjoyment to millions of music fans across the world, I remember sneaking into the Leadmill as a teenager. We need to nurture our talent pipeline for the future and safeguard our fantastic venues to keep producing world-beaters in every part of our vibrant and diverse music industry.”
The first meeting of the Music Board takes place on today (2 November) at the Fly DSA Arena in Sheffield. Image credit: Dean Chalkley
Under the boardwalk used to have signatures of some famous artists on the ceiling which got painted over by the last lease holder. Such a shame all that Sheffield music history lost in a coat of paint.