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Bristol Beacon receives the LIVE Workforce award

A photo from the LIVE awards 2022. A large crowd of people can be seen gathering around tables - socialising, eating and drinking together. In the background of the image there is a large screen with a red and black graphic reading

Last week we were delighted to receive the LIVE Workforce award in recognition of our ongoing efforts to improve diversity, inclusion and equality in our workplace as well as pushing for positive social change within the music industry.

On 13 December, music industry professionals from across the country gathered together for the inaugural LIVE awards, a ceremony established by LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) to recognise and celebrate the individuals and organisations that have made a positive impact within the music sector.

Represented by our Artistic Director, Todd Wills and Music Programmer, Matt Aitken, we were nominated for the Workforce Award, which sought to recognise those pushing for substantial change within their own workplace as well as the broader live music business in terms of improving accessibility, diversity and inclusion.

We aim for Bristol Beacon to be an inclusive place for everyone to make and experience incredible music, and hope to influence practices within the wider music industry as we look for further opportunities to make the industry more accessible, and therefore better for everyone.

There’s still so much that must be done, difficult conversations to be had and social change that must be fought for and implemented, but we’d like to sincerely thank LIVE for acknowledging our work so far with this award. This page highlights just some of what we’ve achieved in order to improve our workplace and the music industry not just now but for future generations too.

“We were incredibly proud to win the Workforce Award at the inaugural LIVE Awards last week. The award was in recognition of the work we’ve done to improve diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace and sector.

Through our transformation promise as well as working with organisations such as Representation Matters, Building Cohesive Communities, Babbasa and the Jerwood Foundation we’ve been able to bring a real focus to our EDI commitments and we look forward to developing this further when we reopen.”

Todd Wills, Bristol Beacon, Artistic Director

Two people stand with an award
Music Programmer Matt Aitken and Artistic Director Todd Wills with our LIVE Workforce award

Support for Creatives

Creative development for the music industry professionals of the future

We offer a range of programmes designed to support your creative ambition – from masterclasses and workshops, to mentoring programmes, performance opportunities, consultation, support and advice.

As a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner and thanks to funding from Youth Music, we have also connected local artists with support slots with national touring acts, as well as making national partnerships with the likes of Frequencies, Take Note and Elevate Us to provide opportunities beyond the bounds of Bristol.

We want to support music creators and innovators to make our work as cutting-edge and diverse as the city we’re proud to call home.

We’ve supported emerging Bristol artists by providing access to masterclasses with industry professionals, studio space, live performance opportunities and talent development schemes through programmes such as Bristol Takeover, Switch and Multi-Track.

We are continuing to develop our support for creatives with programmes such as Future Proof by providing in-depth mentoring and development, as well as a dedicated performance and learning space as part of our transformation. Our new Cellars space will be a collaborative hub for creatives to network and develop new ideas. As part of our re-opening celebrations in autumn 2023, we’re also inviting local creatives to showcase their talents at our new festival, The Housewarming.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

How we’re diversifying our workforce

To become everything Bristol Beacon promises, we need to build a concert space that is without barriers and provides opportunities to create and experience incredible music moments like never before. We need to grow what we do, who we do it with and who we do it for.

We know that actions speak louder than words, so as outlined within our Transformation Promise, we’re proactive in making a positive impact and striving towards making our industry more inclusive.

Our purpose is to create unity and joy through live music. We believe that music is a universal language that knows no barriers and recognise the positive impact that music can have on people’s lives. Our staff’s passion and commitment to this cause is integral in making this happen.

As well as transforming our performance spaces and name, Bristol Beacon is also undertaking a transformation of our organisation. Our People Manager Alison Williams has been spearheading this process, working with Diversity and Inclusion experts Aisha Thomas from Representation Matters and Katie Donovan-Adekanmbi Director of Building Cohesive Communities on a discovery and change project, covering areas like recruitment, race and anti-racist practice, staff engagement, unconscious bias and valuing and recognising individual experience.

Changing the way that the music industry operates is no small task, but we’re dedicated to influencing positive change by crafting inclusive pathways into the industry through our programmes of work experience, talent development and our emerging People Plan.

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