Newark and Sherwood District Council to recruit temporary freelance music network co-ordinator to progress arts and culture plans

A temporary freelance music network co-ordinator is to be hired by a council, as part of plans to champion arts in the district.

Since the creation of the new portfolio for heritage, culture and the arts last year, music development has been a focal point for Newark and Sherwood District Council.

The council’s revised community plan objectives place increased emphasis on music as a way to showcase excellence in the district, bring communities together and support wellbeing and increased civic pride.

It’s latest plan for arts development were discussed at last week’s cabinet meeting.

Feedback from recent council-led ‘Alive With Music’ meetings with musicians and music providers from the area have informed the plan, funded by existing budget within the heritage and culture business unit, which will begin with the recruitment of a temporary freelance music network co-ordinator over a six-month period.

This co-ordinator will help to create a Newark and Sherwood Music Forum, which will bring interested parties together to co-create opportunities for collaboration.

Future plans also include exploring opportunities to develop Newark Festival across the year with mini-Hustles supporting bands from the area, supporting and fostering more choirs and music groups across the district, delivering accessible pop-up music events, and supporting young musicians and music education in schools.

Rowan Cozens, deputy council leader and portfolio holder for heritage, culture and the arts, has been at the forefront of the plans, and said: “Music is so vital to our communities and can have real social, economic and educational benefits. There are many amazing music providers and smaller events happening across our district; what we need is to bring them together to support and develop what they already do as well as feeding into new and exciting projects so that more of our residents can experience their benefits.

“Recently, we have brought two classical music concerts by award-winning musicians to the Palace Theatre as well as supporting the operational cost of bringing the West End production of Blood Brothers to the town which proved hugely popular with sold out shows and fantastic feedback.

“This just emphasises that there is an appetite for quality music events in the district and our new music network co-ordinator will work to nurture this.”