Author Archives: neilmcsweeney
Summary overview of method for preliminary mapping of a local music sector
A preliminary audit has been conducted cross-referencing three types of data in an attempt to build up a detailed and accurate picture of the present state of the Sheffield music sector. The following inclusion criteria have been carefully applied to the second and third data sets. Inclusion Criteria i) Within Sheffield city boundary Established via […]
The value of pluralism in the arts
How might value pluralism strengthen the arts sector? A recent post on the Improvisation blog, following the death of Maurizio Pollini, notes that classical music, and the richness of culture more generally, appear currently to be threatened, in the UK at least. There is indeed a good deal of debate in the arts community at […]
Response to Cultural Strategy Consultation in Sheffield
Reading across the published material, the principal aims for the new Cultural Strategy in Sheffield appear to be along the following lines: Possible actions for consideration by the newly recruited Head of Service for Culture & Place Marketing and Service Manager for Culture. These eight ideas are focused on providing the conditions for creative organisations […]
Music – A Triple Bottom line approach?
I tend to assume most organisations in music these days follow some version of a Triple Bottom Line approach, where objectives can be understood as Artistic, Social, and Financial and the wider contribution of the music sector captured in terms of Cultural, Social, and Economic benefits. The specific balance between the areas of value from […]
A Coat Worth Wearing 
Investigating music production in a regional music sector
According to industry umbrella organisation UK Music ‘the UK is the third largest recorded music market in the world and one of only three net exporters of music globally’ (valued at £4bn in 2022). I’d like to get a sense of what this looks like at a regional level to understand better who currently benefits […]