VIRTUAL TALENT DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2021

Tuesday 26th January 10:50am – 1:15pm

• Opening: Scene-setting 10:50am – 11:10am

Introduction to the Virtual Talent Development Conference from Joe Frankland

• Session 1: Reassess, Reimagine, Recover 11:10am – 12:10pm

Funders and talent development organisations have long been aware of creative and career barriers facing songwriters, composers, artists and producers. But the precariousness of music creation as a career has never been more apparent since the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and Brexit that have exposed inequalities to the wider sector. As we look to recovery in 2021, we have the opportunity to reimagine and reframe the future of the music industry – creating a stronger, connected, equitable and inclusive ecosystem that maximises the potential of our major resource: the talent of music creators.

In this session, moderated by BBC World Services’ Arts Hour curator and presenter Nikki Bedi , we gather three inspiring Chairs

Nitin Sawhney (PRS Foundation), YolanDa Brown (Youth Music), Crispin Hunt (Ivors Academy)

who as exceptional music creators themselves are well placed to reflect and challenge so that those working to support talent can help creators to survive and thrive in 2021 and beyond.

Followed by: PPL Soapbox

• Roundtable 1 with Breakout Rooms 12:25pm – 1:25pm

How can localised talent development organisations continue to adapt to provide a solid foundation that enables music creators to develop creatively and take their next steps into the wider industry both nationally and internationally?

Wednesday 27th January 11:10am – 1:15pm

• Session 2: Using Data for Equitable Recovery 11:10am – 12:10pm

The capture of diversity, equality and inclusion data can be a very personal and sensitive topic, many funders including PRS Foundation, use data as a way of identifying gaps in music creator support and to find ways to break down barriers so that underrepresented talent can fulfil their potential and forge long-term successful careers. In this session, we’ll hear how organisations are integral to building a stronger, connected and more sustainable music community through authentic representation of the music creators they work with and how a better understanding of the people behind the organisation ensures better outcomes for all. Speakers:

Moderator, Yaw Owusu, Senior Manager, PRS Foundation, Abel Selocoe, Musician, Rich Legate, Artist Development Manager, Attitude is Everything, Hannah Richardson, Musician Cherym / Safe In Sound, Yvette Griffith, Co-Chief Exec & Executive Director, Jazz Refreshed

Followed by: Youth Music Soapbox

Roundtable 2 with breakout rooms 12:25pm – 1:25pm

Roundtables with funders and TDPs to follow on the discussion about what data is collected, why and how it’s used. We’d like to hear what’s working and what doesn’t for TDPs.

Thursday 28th January 10:50am – 1:15pm

• British Council Introduction 10:50am – 11:10am

Introduction to the British Council from Cathy Graham

• Session 3: International Talent Development Approaches 11:10am – 12:10pm

We shine a light on four dynamic and contrasting music talent development initiatives from around the world, learn about challenges and opportunities they encounter locally, and discover how they are working to ensure that local music creators develop and thrive. What might recovery and resilience look like for music scenes in Africa and Asia? What are the opportunities for international connectivity in a post-Covid world and what can we learn from this experience? Speakers:

Zainab Guedira, HIBA Foundation (Morocco), David Cecil, East African Records (Uganda), Zhao Yue, Pelican Music Academy (China), Swe Hlaing Htet aka Darko C, Turning Tables (Myanmar).

Chair: Leah Zakss (British Council).

• Roundtables 12:30pm – 15:15pm 

*1-1s / Networking / Roundtable 3 – CLOSED FOR TDPS AND BC DELEGATES ONLY

Friday 29th January 10:50am – 1:15pm

• Session 4: Somewhere Over the Rainbow 11:10am – 12:10pm

2020 has been a challenging year for music creators and the talent development organisations which support them. COVID-19 has had a severe impact upon the live sector, halted talent development initiatives and left many wondering when things will return to ‘normal’ but there are positive stories, TDPs have been changing strategy and innovating to continue to support music creators and provide some inspiring stories and strategies to kick start 2021. Speakers:

Elizabeth Sills, Grants and Programmes Manager, PRS Foundation, Debra King, Director, Brighter Sound, Adam Joolia, CEO, Audio Active, Emily Jones, Senior Producer, Sage Gateshead and Sarah Jones, Programme Manager, Focus Wales.

• Networking 12:25pm – 1:25pm

Final networking session between conference delegates