Manchester mayor Bev Craig has announced a £2 million investment to support local artists and diversify the city's music industry. The funding aims to nurture talent beyond traditional guitar bands and address the increasing costs and London-centric nature of breaking into the music business. The initiative also includes support for AI literacy among music professionals.
The investment aims to ensure that Greater Manchester's music industry remains competitive and accessible, fostering new talent and diversifying its cultural output in the face of rising costs and technological disruption.
Manchester mayor Bev Craig has announced a £2 million investment to foster a diverse music scene in Greater Manchester, emphasizing that the city's musical identity extends beyond its well-known indie guitar bands like Oasis. The funding aims to support emerging talent, particularly in an industry becoming increasingly expensive and London-centric.
Speaking at the Beyond the Music creative industries AI summit in Salford, Craig outlined plans to nurture artists regardless of genre, whether they are "guitar bands or not." The investment will focus on improving access to rehearsal and production spaces, providing practical support, and creating local jobs for musicians. This new funding is in addition to a £4 million Culture Fund investment announced earlier this month.
The summit also addressed the impact of new technologies on the music industry, with commitments to support AI literacy for music professionals and monitor its effects on employment, income, and diversity. The accompanying festival featured performances from up-and-coming artists from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, including Bawo, JayaHadADream, and Alt Blk Era.
Culture minister Ian Murray addressed the conference, highlighting the passion for music at the highest levels of government and the importance of choices made today in shaping the future of creativity. He acknowledged the significant changes driven by technology but stressed that human choices would ultimately define the industry's path.
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