Networked Innovation in Classical Music: Collaborative Ecologies in Creative Cities

Cities across the UK and Europe typically contain a diverse range of classical music institutions: venues, orchestras, ensembles, festivals, conservatoires, universities, amateur groups and individual practitioners all offer significant activity in this field. How these creative ecologies function, however, is little understood, with work often siloed and collaborative potential lost.

The classical sector faces significant challenges in the present moment, with decreasing public subsidy and an ageing audience, on top of the urgency to rebuild audiences after pandemic lockdowns have changed attendance habits. The aim of this project is to bring local partners together to assess and encourage their cities as sites for innovation in the face of such challenges.

The project will generate seven new networks in our 'focus cities' - five in the UK, two in Europe - to evaluate existing collaborations, to explore areas in which institutions might work better together, and to assess the barriers that are hampering current collaborative efforts. These individual networks will become part of a larger network of individuals and organisations committed to innovating and strengthening the classical music sector.

By working with academics in conservatoires and universities alongside classical music sector managers, performers and audiences, the project will explore the purpose and practices of higher music education, and consider the extent to which professional musicians are equipped for the diversity and adaptability of being a professional musician in the coming decades. The findings of the network will generate a model for closer collaboration across creative cities around the UK and Europe, as well as laying strong foundations for future academic research and developments in practice.