Support For Creatives
Creative development for the music industry professionals of the future
We’re making space for the scene. For the artists, producers, managers and music industry professionals of the future to create, collaborate, grow and glow. This is your space to connect with opportunities, experiences and each other to make something incredible together.
Music is what we do. And collaboration is at the heart of cultural life in Bristol. We want to support music creators and innovators to make work as cutting-edge and diverse as the city we’re proud to call home. Here you will find a range of programmes designed to support your creative ambition – from masterclasses and workshops, to mentoring programmes, performance opportunities, consultation, support and advice.
Artistic Development
Resident Artists
Resident Artists
Our Resident Artists project supports three music creators aged over 25, through a paid six-month residency.
Future Proof
Future Proof
Our flagship mentoring programme, providing long-term and in-depth artistic development for the next wave of 18 – 25 year olds ready to make moves in the music scene.
Next Level
Next Level
A collaborative, week-long intensive artist development programme partnering with some of Bristol’s biggest names in music, supporting singers, rappers & MCs aged 18 – 30.
Workshops, Masterclasses & Talks
Delivering fresh insight and space to disrupt and discuss – our regular programme of workshops, masterclasses and talks give you the inside track on all aspects of the music industry, with the chance to learn, collaborate and give your next idea lift off.
Stay tuned for programme announcements and resources coming soon.
Live Performances & Showcases
Live and direct from stages across the city, we clear the floor for the next generation of artists to step up. From showcases of new work, to support slots, to full multi-stage takeovers of our spaces – check back soon for opportunities and to discover the freshest new talent in Bristol.
Commissions
Our commissioning programme supports those ready to take their creative idea and make it a reality with investment, mentorship and space to develop and perform. Keep your eyes peeled for details of our latest commissioning round soon.
Our approach
The Bristol Beacon team is full of people who love music, and we’re here to make space for the scene to grow in new and inspiring ways. We want to play our part in supporting the future of live music in Bristol – working together to open up, diversify and create opportunities for more incredible music in our city.
Artists, managers, promoters, festival organisers of the future – throughout the year there will be a range of opportunities to connect through our programmes and invent together.
Our Story
We have been championing and investing in creativity through a range of programmes over the years. Our Switch series of events in 2016 saw Q&As and live performances from the likes of Lady Leshurr and Swindle. Alongside panel discussions and masterclasses, Our Multi-Track programme saw three cohorts of emerging Bristol artists take part in the Home Grown Heat talent development scheme, providing access to industry professionals, studio space and live performance opportunities including our annual showcases headlined by the likes of Ms Banks and Novelist.
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.
The future
We are continuing to develop and grow our support for creatives, with annual programmes such as Future Proof providing in-depth mentoring and development, alongside one-off and short-run initiatives and opportunities.
Through innovative partnerships, we want to see a thriving, diverse scene in Bristol and are always on the lookout for new collaborations.
At the heart of our plans in the coming years is the opening of a brand new performance and learning space in the transformed Bristol Beacon. Our ‘Cellars’ space will be kitted out with practice rooms, mac suites, a live room, recording studio and dedicated 150-capacity performance space – a collaborative hub for creatives to conceive, develop and explode new ideas onto the scene.
Stay in the loop
Sign up for email updates and find out more about the latest opportunities and how we’re helping develop the artists of the future.
Scene & Heard
If you consider yourself an emerging music creative in the city – whether that be an artist, promoter, or aspiring manager – we want to hear from you about how our programmes and spaces might best support you. Take part in our Scene & Heard survey now.
As a thank you, you’ll be entered into a draw to win £100 worth of Bristol Beacon gig tickets and Bandcamp vouchers.
This survey has now closed
Thank you for everyone who took part. Your input will help shape our artistic programme and how we support emerging music creatives in the city.
Our Transformation
The transformation of Bristol Beacon will see a brand new multi-venue space dedicated to music performance and learning open in autumn 2023.
As well as the 2000 capacity main hall, 500 capacity Lantern venue and our existing Foyer space, the transformation will see our brand new Cellar venue open as a collaborative hub for artists and music creatives, with state of the art facilities and equipment to launch new careers and explore new creative horizons.
Project supporters and funders
The project is supported by Youth Music, PRS Foundation and Help Musicians.
