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An ambitious, community-led music development project is set to bring Bradford’s grassroots music community together throughout 2026, creating space for conversation, collaboration and long-term planning across the district.
With new Arts Council England funding in place, Bradford Producing Hub will lead a year-long programme inviting artists, venues, promoters, educators and music lovers to co-create Bradford’s first-ever music strategy - a shared roadmap shaped by those who live and work within the city’s music ecosystem.
Following Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture in 2025, the project represents a shift from celebration to consolidation: an opportunity to build on growing recognition of the district’s musical talent and turn momentum into sustainable infrastructure for the future.
From momentum to strategy: The initiative builds on more than five years of Bradford Producing Hub’s work supporting grassroots music across the district. Recent activity has focused on legacy-building - including sector research, artist development, policy engagement and regional partnership working - helping to lay the groundwork for a coordinated, district-wide approach.
Running from January to September 2026, the project will bring together Bradford’s diverse music community through workshops, online surveys and a dedicated steering group. The aim is to create a strategy designed by and for the people who make Bradford’s music scene what it is: local artists, venues, promoters, educators and audiences.
Rather than imposing a top-down framework, the process will centre lived experience - exploring what makes Bradford’s music landscape distinctive, identifying shared challenges, and setting out practical priorities around talent development, venue sustainability and sector resilience.
A strategy built by Bradford, for Bradford: The strategy will inform future funding priorities, strengthen support for grassroots venues, and improve routes for musicians and industry professionals to build sustainable careers in the district. It is intended as a working document, shaped by conversation and collaboration, rather than a static policy statement.
The project will culminate in September 2026 with a series of live performances across grassroots venues, alongside a central launch event celebrating the breadth of musical talent Bradford has to offer. Alongside this, young people aged 18 to 25 will be supported into paid professional placements, gaining hands-on industry experience under the guidance of experienced mentors.
Voices from the sector: Lisa Mallaghan, Executive Director of Bradford Producing Hub, said: “This is such an exciting moment for Bradford’s music community. After our incredible City of Culture year, we now have a real opportunity to build something lasting and meaningful for our grassroots music scene.
"What makes this project special is that it’s genuinely community-led. We’re not imposing a strategy from above; we’re creating the space for musicians, young people, venues, promoters and music lovers across the district to come together, share their experiences, and shape the future they want to see.”
She added: “This funding recognises the work the sector has already done together and allows us to turn that shared momentum into a clear, long-term plan. Bradford has always had an extraordinary depth of musical talent across every genre and community, and this strategy will help ensure that talent - and the grassroots infrastructure that supports it - can thrive for years to come.”
Claire Mera-Nelson, Director of Music at Arts Council England, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support Bradford Producing Hub to create Bradford district’s first music strategy. Throughout 2025, Bradford showcased its incredible cultural offer as UK City of Culture, including its amazing grassroots music community.
"It’s fantastic to see this work building on that year of culture, creating opportunities for new and existing musicians throughout the district.”
Key aims
The project aims to:
The strategy will be endorsed by Bradford Council and supported by Bradford Music Scene, West Yorkshire Music Hub and other regional partners. Wider partnerships - including WYCA, UK Music and Great North Creative - will be developed throughout the project to support long-term impact.
Get involved: Bradford Producing Hub is inviting musicians, venue owners, promoters, educators and anyone who cares about live music to help shape Bradford’s musical future.
Those interested in staying up to date or taking part can complete a short Expression of Interest form. Completing the form does not commit participants to involvement, but ensures they receive updates as the strategy develops.
The project is committed to accessibility and inclusion. Participation bursaries and access support will be available to ensure that those who want to be involved are supported to take part.
This project is funded by Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Music fund.
Header Image: Bradford Artists at the BPH Music Development Labs. (Frances Murphy)
