Audience Development Strategy
Audience Development Strategy
Audience Development Strategy
STRATEGY,
PROGRAMME & GUIDELINES
2007 - 2009
December, 2006
Contents:
Foreword .............................................................................................. 3
Context .................................................................................................4
Music Network and Audiences .............................................................. 5
What is Audience Development?............................................................................. 5
Key roles in the Audience Development Strategy ..................................6
Key Aims of the Music Network Audience Development Strategy ......... 7
Attract new audiences to live music performances................................................. 7
Enhance the live music experience for current audiences ..................................... 7
Support the live performance of high-quality music in Ireland............................. 7
Support and develop the role of the promoter........................................................ 7
Expected Key Results of the Audience Development Strategy ...............8
Going forward.................................................................................9
Music Network Audience Development Plan 2007 2009 ...................11
Appendix A: ........................................................................................ 13
Guidelines: Music Network................................................................. 13
Statement: ...............................................................................................................13
Introduction: ...........................................................................................................13
Project Preparation .................................................................................................13
Policies:....................................................................................................................13
Project Execution: .................................................................................................. 14
Monitoring and Evaluation: .................................................................................. 14
Participation Guidelines: Promoters .................................................. 15
Statement: ...............................................................................................................15
Criteria for involvement & selection: .....................................................................15
Premise:...................................................................................................................15
Policies:................................................................................................................... 16
Project Execution: .................................................................................................. 16
Monitoring and Evaluation: .................................................................................. 16
Guidelines: Artists & Facilitators .........................................................17
Statement: ...............................................................................................................17
Criteria for involvement:.........................................................................................17
Premise:...................................................................................................................17
Policies:................................................................................................................... 18
Project Execution: .................................................................................................. 18
Monitoring and Evaluation: .................................................................................. 19
Guidelines for Participants .................................................................20
Statement: ..............................................................................................................20
Criteria for participation:.......................................................................................20
Role of the Key worker(s)/contact(s): ...................................................................20
Premise:...................................................................................................................21
Policies:....................................................................................................................21
Project Execution: ...................................................................................................21
Monitoring and Evaluation: ...................................................................................21
Appendix B ......................................................................................... 22
Appendix C ......................................................................................... 23
Foreword
This document outlines the Music Network Audience Development Strategy and
Programme and Guidelines 2007 - 2009.
The necessity for an audience development strategy has been recognised by Music
Network, partner promoters and artists for sometime. This strategy has been
informed through research and consultation with a number of Music Networks
partner promoters 1 , other national music organisations 2 and relevant members of the
Arts Council executive 3 . This research and consultation, along with examination of
audience development approaches implemented by other international arts
organisations, showed that developing audiences implies a number of possible
interpretations. These interpretations include: attracting new and larger audiences to
live music performances, augmenting the live music experience for current audiences
and increasing the frequency of attendance by existing audiences. The Music Network
audience development strategy aims to address each of these interpretations.
The success and development of high quality live classical, jazz and traditional Irish
music performance is intrinsically linked with audience demand. Knowledgeable,
informed audiences demand greater frequency and even greater standards of live
music performance in their locality. It is important, then, to create a strategy that will
engage audiences and provide mechanisms by which awareness and access are
supplemented by opportunities to interact with the artist and the music. This strategy
provides support to local promoters and to artists to enhance local conditions for the
performance of live music while offering a genuine service to the audience member
current or potential and other music organisations.
Music Network values its partnerships and strives to support each of these
constituencies. Music Networks Audience Development Strategy addresses four of
the organisations key objectives:
to build audiences for music, across a range of genres
to foster and develop high quality concert promotion within Ireland
to provide enhanced performance and professional development
opportunities for highly skilled musicians within Ireland
to encourage wider participation in and accessibility to music
The programme outlined in this document aims to benefit partner promoters, artists
and audiences. Music Network anticipates that once the strategy and programme has
been tried and tested, many promoters will be attracted to the programme. The
training and experience offered to the artists as part of the Music Network
programme will provide a vital pool of skills and resources that will also be accessible
to other music organisations. Audiences will be offered a practical and interactive
means of accessing classical, jazz and traditional Irish music in their locality. The
intended result of this preliminary work, initially tested through pilot programmes,
will be a useful instrument for other music organisations wishing to introduce an
audience development programme.
The following partner promoters contributed to this research: Briery Gap, Carlingford Lough Heritage
Trust, Christchurch Cathedral, Waterford, Clifden Arts Society, Glr, Ionad Cultrtha, Linenhall Arts
Centre, Mermaid Arts Centre, Music for New Ross, Pavilion Theatre, Solstice Arts Centre, St. Johns
Theatre & Arts Centre, The Dock, The Source Arts Centre, and Tuar Ard. See Appendix B.
2 Contemporary Music Centre, Improvised Music Company, Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, Irish
Baroque Orchestra, National Chamber Choir, National Concert Hall, and RT. See Appendix C for full
list of contact details.
3 Fergus Sheil, Music Consultant; Liz Doherty, Traditional Arts Consultant and Jan Hinde, Arts
Participation Programme Manager.
1
Context
Over the past 21 years, Music Network has been firmly established as the arts
organisation with primary responsibility for developing music in Ireland. The
organisation aims to make live classical, jazz and traditional Irish music of the
highest quality available and accessible to everyone in the country, regardless of their
location or circumstance, while supporting the career development of highly skilled
Irish and international artists.
Music Networks partnerships with local promoters are central to the effective
delivery of the organisations primary aims and objectives. Music Network partner
promoters include local community arts group wishing to improve accessibility to the
arts in their locality; full time, professionally staffed arts centres; local authority arts
officers and local arts festivals.
In order to augment the quality of the services provided by Music Network, it is
imperative that the role of the promoter is supported and developed. This Audience
Development Strategy and Programme forms part of a larger Promoter Development
Programme that provides ongoing practical support and opportunities for promoters.
Through close partnership with local promoters, Music Network has identified the
need for a cohesive and strategic approach to audience development. This document
outlines the principle aims, outcomes, roles and structure that this programme will
undertake from 2007 to 2009.
The implementation of the Music Network Audience Development Programme
involves the key participation and support of promoters, artists, audiences and key
workers/contacts and other music organisations and their respective contributions
are acknowledged in the aims and anticipated outcomes of this document.
The promotional aspect of marketing will form the particular focus of this approach.
Promoters
Promoters engaging with the audience development programme are provided with a
developmental opportunity that is intended to increase promoter access to and
engagement with current and potential audiences and, in the longer term, increase
the size and frequency of audience attendance. This programme also offers promoters
the opportunity to network with each other and to further develop the musical life of
their community.
Artists
Artists working with the outreach component will be supported with practical
training through the Music Network Continuing Professional Development
Programme. The Audience Development Programme provides new opportunities for
artists to engage with their audiences and to develop audience appreciation for their
work and their music.
Audience members
This programme offers audience members current and potential the opportunity
to engage with quality live music performance. This programme serves to
complement Music Networks policy of enabling complete access to live music
throughout Ireland.
Key worker/contact
The Key worker/contact is an individual who represents the Participant group
working in an outreach setting. The Key worker/contact is often nominated by the
group to fulfil this role or this role falls to them in their capacity as teacher, youth
leader, careworker etc. The Key worker/contact will be offered training and access to
resources to develop on the Participant groups achievements during the Audience
Development Programme. Working with the partner promoter, and other relevant
local resources (for example, the Local Authority Arts Office, Local Education
Resource Centre, Community Development Programmes or Family Resource
Agencies etc.) the Key worker/contact will be supported in order to sustain and
develop the interest and progress of the participant group.
External Evaluator
An External Evaluator will monitor and evaluate the implementation of this strategy
and programme during the pilot phase (January 2007 August 2007). At strategic
stages of the programmes operations and development, the External Evaluator will
provide independent assessment of the position and progress of the project. A final
report with detailed evaluation of the pilot programme, and recommendations for the
implementation of the programme proper from September 2007, will be made
available to other music organisations and all interested parties.
Going forward.
The Music Network Audience Development Strategy and Programme will begin by
consolidating the range of work currently undertaken by the organisation.
The Programme will involve each of Music Networks key areas of engagement:
performance, access, regional expansion and music development. It will involve the
contribution of Music Network itself, of promoters, artists, facilitators,
educationalists and current audience members. It will explore opportunities for
reaching potential, new audiences.
The first phase of the Audience Development Strategy will support existing
promoters and expand audiences. This strategy will be used in further phases to
generate new promoters from among participants working with the Programme and
to simultaneously develop an audience for high quality musical performances in
regional localities.
The Programme will be dynamic. It will respond to the evaluations and feedback
received so that the needs identified by the key stakeholders are catered for and the
goals of the strategy are achieved.
In order to make progress and to achieve the aims set out above, a number of pilot
schemes, focusing on particular aspects of audience development, will operate once
the main Programme becomes operational in September 2007. The knowledge
gained from these pilot schemes will contribute to the effectiveness of the Programme
and, ultimately, enhance the performance of Music Network.
Phase
Research & Development
September 2006
Pilot Programmes
Evaluation Phase
Actions
Define Audience Development in Music Networks terms
Meet with promoters to discuss audience development issues,
experiences and expectations
Meet with other music resource organisations to gain a view of audience
development needs
Establish role of Promoters & Audience Development Manager
Meet with artists interested in the programme
Finalise Music Network Audience Development Strategy and Plan
Distribute to promoters
Distribute to other interested parties
Seek out volunteer promoters for pilot schemes
Finalise artists involved in pilot schemes
Artists attend first of three weekend CPD Programmes at NCH
Commence CPD mentoring programme
Match promoter, artist, facilitator, genre, programme participants
Create pilot calendars (including performance date)
Create pilot programmes
Organise equipment, materials required
Discuss appropriate methods of evaluation with external evaluator
Implementation of pilot programmes
Ongoing evaluation meetings with all parties
Addressing issues as they arise in each project
Encouraging good relationships between promoters and artists
Artists attend second & third weekends of CPD Programme at NCH
Structured evaluation meetings with all pilot parties
Compile evaluation reports
Present findings at Promoters Forum in June/July 2007
Encourage discussion and elaboration among promoters
Encourage promoters to get involved in an audience development
programme
September 2007
September 2007
December 2007
January 2008 March
2008
Programme Preparation
Phase
Pilot Preparation Phase II
Audience Development
Programme Roll out
Pilot Programme Phase II
Monitoring Audience
Development Programme
&
Evaluation of Pilot
Programme Phase II
Evaluation, Roll out and
Pilot Programming
Promoters Forum
External Evaluation
Create programmes with promoters and other interested parties for rollout in September
Prepare pilot schemes addressing issues resulting from Pilot Phase I &
evaluation
Programmes of six month plus duration rolled out for promoters
requiring audience development programmes
Parallel pilot schemes will provide opportunities for new ideas to be
examined before adding them to the programme proper while providing
artists new to the programme with an opportunity to get involved on a
closely monitored project.
Audience development programmes will not be season-specific and can
be rolled out at any time of year
Topic to be decided
External evaluators will be invited to observe this project from July 2007
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Appendix A:
The implementation of the Music Network Audience Development Programme will require
the cooperation and coordination of the contributing parties, including promoters, artists,
key workers/contacts, Participant groups and Music Network. The following Guidelines
identify the qualifying criteria required for participation in the Programme and the roles of
each party during the project execution and evaluation phases.
Music Network is committed to providing access to high-quality live classical, jazz and
traditional Irish music performances to audiences regardless of location or circumstance.
The Audience Development Programme aims to offer an interactive means for everyone to
access classical, jazz and traditional Irish music. The aim of the following guidelines is to
detail Music Networks role and responsibilities with respect to the Audience Development
Programme.
Introduction:
Project Preparation:
Policies:
Music Network will require the other key stakeholders to adhere to the following policies:
Health & Safety (including risk assessment)
Child Protection
And where available:
Cultural Diversity
Older People
People with disabilities
Project Execution:
14
Music Network has established an Audience Development Programme as one of many means
of supporting local partner promoters throughout Ireland. Following the initial pilot process,
Music Network will invite all Promoters to become involved with the Audience Development
Programme.
The Outreach component of the Music Network Audience Development Programme will
involve a series of workshops leading up to a concert performance, all of which will take
place at the Promoters venue, if appropriate. The workshops will involve the Artists
performing in the concert performance and the material used in the workshops will be
reflected in the programme of the concert performance. Although there may be many eligible
promoters wishing to participate in this programme, Music Network will select the
participant Promoters through a consultative process based on the following guidelines.
The Guidelines have been sub-divided into five main areas:
Criteria for involvement & selection
Premise
Policies
Project Execution
Monitoring & Evaluation
Premise:
Applicant Promoters must relate to Music Network why they believe the Music Network
Audience Development Programme will benefit them. How will the programme work with
their music development programme?
For the purposes of this selection process, Music Network will look favourably on Promoters
that demonstrate, perhaps through active research (e.g. audience surveys or previous
Access to this equipment will be viewed as indicators of the Promoters commitment to the programme.
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outreach projects), that there is a necessity or desire for engagement with the Music Network
Audience Development Programme.
Policies:
Music Network will require each Promoter to have the following policies in place regarding:
Health & Safety (including risk assessment, if necessary)
Child Protection
And where appropriate:
Cultural Diversity
Older People
People with disabilities
Promoters will be requested to provide a hard copy of these policies to the Participating
group, on request.
Note: the Music Network Child Protection Policy will take precedence during workshops
involving Music Network staff and children 6 .
Project Execution:
Promoters engaging with the Music Network Audience Development Programme will be
required to:
adhere to the involvement and selection criteria listed
fully engage with its three key components: marketing, outreach and musical
programming.
value and respect the contributions of the other key stakeholders (Music Network, the
Artists and the Participants)
endeavour to support participant group after project completion
accommodate, within reason, extraordinary circumstances that may arise
Promoters engaging with the Music Network Audience Development Programme will be
required to:
agree to engage with monitoring and evaluation systems detailed in the Music
Network Audience Development Programme
complete and record Promoter evaluations
engage with the External Evaluator
agree to the public dissemination of the evaluation report
Music Network may wish to take some photographs or other records of the Participant group
during workshop and/or the performance. Permission will be sought from the Promoter,
Artists and the Participants before any visual, audio or audio/visual recording is undertaken.
A child is defined by the Child Care Act, 1991, as a person under the age of 18 years other than a person who is
or has been married. (5.2.1)
6
16
Music Network wishes to support highly skilled professional musicians in Ireland. The
Audience Development Programme is an opportunity for professional musicians to engage
with current and potential audiences in a practical and productive manner.
The Outreach component of this programme will involve a series of workshops that will
culminate in a concert performance. The Artists involved with the concert performance will
participate in the workshops either in the capacity of Facilitators or support musicians with a
Facilitator. The material used during the workshops will be directly connected to the concert
performance programme. The aim of the following guidelines is to detail the Artists roles
and responsibilities in the Audience Development Programme.
The guidelines have been sub-divided into five main areas:
Criteria for involvement
Premise
Policies
Project Execution
Monitoring & Evaluation
Premise:
Applicant Artists and the Facilitators must relate how the Music Network Audience
Development Programme will benefit them. How will working on this programme impact on
their professional development/personal development?
During the evaluation and feedback sessions, the Artist and the Facilitator will be required to
make suggestions and contributions to the development of the Audience Development
Programme (e.g. logistical issues, relationships resources etc.).
17
Policies:
Music Network will require each Artist and Facilitator to engage with the following policies:
Health & Safety
Child Protection
And where appropriate:
Cultural Diversity
Older People
People with disabilities
Note: the Music Network Child Protection Policy will apply during workshops involving
Music Network staff.
Project Execution:
Artists and Facilitators engaging with the Music Network Audience Development
Programme will be required to:
contribute to the planning, leading or engaging with, a series of workshops that will:
o be appropriate for the participant group
o promote active engagement with music
o offer participants the opportunity to engage with the music and the musicians
o relate to the concert performance programme at the end of the workshop
series
o consider including the participants in the concert performance, if appropriate
o consider ways and means of developing the skills learned by the participating
groups during the workshops to support the group when the scheme has
ended
conduct and present themselves in a professional manner appropriate to the profile
of the group with which they are working
be punctual and prepared
adhere to the criteria listed
take responsibility for the workshop resources supplied by Music Network
suggest new workshop methods and resources that would augment the Artists work
value and respect the contributions of the other key stakeholders (Music Network, the
Promoters and the Participants)
communicate effectively with the other key stakeholders
accommodate, within reason, extraordinary circumstances which may arise
Along with these guidelines, Facilitators will be required to:
lead and steer through structuring and planning of the workshop series
maximise the role of the Artists within the workshop in order to develop their skills as
potential workshop Facilitators
access and develop local musical resources and music development programmes, if
appropriate
source additional training or resources for the key worker/contact in order to sustain
the achievements of the workshop
18
Artists engaging with the Music Network Audience Development Programme will be
required to:
agree to engage with monitoring and evaluation systems detailed in the Music
Network Audience Development Programme
complete and record evaluations
engage with the External Evaluator, as required
agree to the public dissemination of the post-project evaluation report
Music Network may wish to take some photographs or other records of the Participant group
during workshop and/or the performance. Permission will be sought from the Promoter,
Artists and the Participants before any visual, audio or audio/visual recording is undertaken.
19
Practical criteria:
o Time/Availability
o A core group of between 15 and 35 people to participate and attend regularly 7
o Interest & enthusiasm
o Nominated Key worker/contact
o Good relationship between Participants and the Promoter
o Participant Commitment
o Provide own transport to and from the programme venue
Participants must be willing to:
o cooperate with Promoters and Artists
o be open-minded to proposed activities and approaches
o actively participate and engage in the workshops
o perform during concert (if appropriate)
o engage with the internal and external evaluation processes
20
Designated liaison time will be allotted for the Key worker/contact, the Promoter and the
Artists/Facilitator to:
o assist the Facilitator and the Artist in the preparation for the workshops
o discuss any details of any particular participant strengths or limitations and
enthusiasm or reservations about particular activities
o contribute key points of interest and feedback from the Participants
Premise:
In the case of a number of Participant groups wishing to access the Music Network Audience
Development Programme with a local partner promoter, each candidate group will be
required to relate how they believe the Music Network Audience Development Programme
will benefit them. How will this programme develop the personal (or other)
skills/experiences of their particular group?
Policies:
Music Network and/or the Promoter will make copies of the following policies available to
Participating groups, on request:
Health & Safety (including risk assessment)
Child Protection
And where available:
Cultural Diversity
Older People
People with disabilities
Project Execution:
Participants engaging with the Music Network Audience Development Programme will be
required to:
adhere to the criteria listed
fully engage with the outreach component of the programme
value and respect the contributions of the other key stakeholders (Music Network, the
Artists and the Promoters)
respect the contributions of all Participants
foster and endeavour to sustain a close working relationship with the Promoter
treat with respect the musical instruments and other workshop resources provided
for use during the workshop
treat with respect the facilities provided by the Promoter
communicate, for the purposes of clarity, with the Participants on matters not
directly related to the workshop via the Key worker/contact.
accommodate, within reason, extraordinary circumstances which may arise
Participants engaging with the Music Network Audience Development Programme will be
required to:
agree to engage with monitoring and evaluation systems outlined in this document
complete and record Participant evaluations
engage with the External Evaluator
agree to the public dissemination of the evaluation report
Music Network or the Promoter may wish to take some photographs or other records of the
Participant group during workshop and/or the performance. Permission will be sought from
the Participants before any visual, audio or audio/visual recording is undertaken.
21
Appendix B
Promoters consulted during research process for Music Network Audience Development
Strategy, Programme & Guidelines:
Mermaid Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Contacts: Maureen Kennelly (Director) & Lia Bresnihan (Marketing Manager)
Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Waterford.
Contact: Fionnuala Brennan (Events Coordinator)
Briery Gap, Main Street, Macroom, Co. Cork.
Contact: Ann Dunne (Director)
St. Johns Theatre & Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Contact: Joe Murphy (Director)
Glr Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare
Contact: Katie Verling (Director)
The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Claudia Woolgar (Director)
Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Contact: Polly OLoughlin
Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust, Carlingford, Co. Louth
Contact: Jerry McCarthy
Tuar Ard Arts Centre, Moate, Co. Westmeath
Contact: Tom Mullins (Board member)
Clifden Arts Society, Clifden, Co. Galway
Contact: Brendan Flynn
Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Contact: Maire Farrell (Director)
The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Contact: Caoimhn Corrigan (Arts Officer, County Leitrim)
Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co. Meath
Contact: Belinda Quirke (Director)
Music for New Ross, New Ross, Co. Wexford
Contact: Connie Tantrum
Ionad Cultrtha, Ballyvourney, Co. Cork
Contact: Brd Cranitch (Director)
22
Appendix C
Other Arts organisations consulted during the research process of the Music Development
Audience Development Strategy, Programme & Guidelines:
Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8.
Contact: Karen Hennessy
National Chamber Choir, DCU, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Contact: Jeanette McGarry
Irish Baroque Orchestra, 43-44 Templebar, Dublin 2
Contact: Tom Coughlan
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
Contact: Colin Kenny
Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, Studio 12, Farnham House, 26/27 MacCurtain Street,
Cork.
Contact: Risn Maher
Improvised Music Company, 68 Dame Street, Dublin 2.
Contact: Aoife Barror & Kenneth Killeen
RTE Performing Groups, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Contact: Pauline McAuley
23