A day of connections and realistic conversations
Artist at the Inspire Artist Conference Day at Lancaster Jazz Festival
“This day was a chance to connect with other musicians and have realistic conversations about sustaining our craft and learn from each other in ways that we usually wouldn’t have time for in our busy freelance/job juggling lives.”
The Inspire Artist Conference Day was organised by Lancaster Jazz Festival in partnership with Jazz North and took place on 12th September at the vibrant community and arts venue The Gregson Centre in central Lancaster. This was a relaxed yet informative opportunity for local artists to meet fellow musicians, develop their creative practice and connect with key industry professionals.
Composer-songwriter and improviser (saxophone, clarinet, voice and electronics) Faye MacCalman acted as host and shared her observations at the end of the day (above).
During the morning session Oli Bentley from Split Design delivered a thought provoking presentation on Artistic Identity. He explored why it is so important for artists to create a distinct visual identity that both encapsulates and communicates their unique story and values. Attendees were given an insight into Oli’s creative process including creating a laser installation sculpture at The Hepworth for Vessels’ The Great Distraction photoshoot and his work on the recent Edition Records’ rebrand.
Designer Oli Bentley, Split Studio.
Oli’s presentation was followed by an extended lunch break where attendees could book 1:1 meetings with representatives covering essential sector areas.
PRS for Music : royalties, music copyright and licensing
Sentric Music : music publishing
Help Musicians : financial and mental health support
Worth Whyle Marketing : marketing and branding
Jazz North: funding, regional development and sector advice
After lunch there were lively roundtable discussion groups led by Round 10 Northern Line Artist Bryony Jarman Pinto and current Northern Line Artist James Mainwaring (The Exu). James - a genre-fluid improvising saxophonist and composer with a deep commitment to instrumental exploration - was also this year’s Lancaster Jazz Festival artist in residence.
Helena Summerfield, Jazz North.
Helena Summerfield, Jazz North said
“One of the highlights of my role is travelling to different regions to connect with the amazing artists, promoters, festivals and venues driving our thriving northern jazz scene. The Inspire Artist Conference Day at Lancaster Jazz Festival certainly lived up to its name - it was a day of connection and creativity served up with some rather delicious cake!”
Faye MacCalman (far right).
Artists networking at the Inspire Artist Day.
“I enjoyed the variety of speakers and the opportunity to have brief one-to-one chats with industry professionals.”
Date for your diary
Our next Artist Development Day will take place on Wednesday 19th November from 3-7pm at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead. For more information and to book your place go to https://theglasshouseicm.org/whats-on/jazz-north-conversations/
Photo credits: Ginny Koppenhol / Lancaster Jazz Festival