Make Space for Music Beacon lays out a united vision for the future
BRISTOL Beacon has unveiled its new look and laid out its vision for the future as a hub for the city’s music industry.
The new branding for the former Colston Hall unites all elements of the music charity’s work under one name and invites everyone to ‘Make Space for Music.’
Created in collaboration with young creatives from Rising Arts Agency, the new brand showcases the breadth of work that Bristol Beacon delivers beyond its role as a major music venue.
Whilst renowned for its live music programme, Bristol Beacon is also home to the city’s awardwinning music education hub – until now known as Bristol Plays Music – and is responsible for providing music education across music centres and every school in Bristol.
Its team of music educators and industry experts support over 30,000 young people through music every year as well as nurturing emerging artists and new industry talent.
In uniting all its work under one name, Bristol Beacon is establishing a unique charity model fit for the future, enabling it to deliver on its mission to support lifelong musical journeys for all in Bristol.
The unified organisation will be responsible for delivering the Beacon’s city-wide artistic programme, driving forward music education for the city, establishing a collaborative community programme, and supporting emerging and established artists and creatives.
After revealing its new name one year ago, Bristol Beacon commissioned three local young emerging artists – Rosa ter Kulie, Jasmine Thompson and Greg Keen – from
Bristol’s Rising Arts Agency to work alongside leading agency Saboteur to develop an identity they felt reflected the name and the city.
Louise Mitchell, chief executive of Bristol Beacon, says: “Today is an opportunity to reinforce our charity’s mission to make a step-change in the city and ensure everyone in Bristol is able to make space for music in their lives.
“Bristol Beacon is for everyone. We want to truly be a beacon for music in the city, helping to create the space and provide the opportunities for people to enjoy enriching musical lives, no matter what their background or circumstance.
“The true potential of the oncein-a-generation transformation of our much-loved venue goes far beyond bricks and mortar or even a name. Our newly united organisation creates a unique opportunity
in the UK and allows us to be a model for the future, working with our partners in schools, communities, care homes, and other venues, to support people on a lifelong musical journey.”
To achieve the ‘Make Space for Music’ ambitions, the organisation is also committing to raise £8 million over the next three years to complete the transformation of the venue and grow and embed its work ahead of reopening in 2023.
Louise says: “Alongside programming over 60 gigs and concerts with partner venues this autumn, today and tomorrow, Bristol Beacon music tutors and staff will be out delivering top quality music education right across the city.
“Our FLOW and Hope Creative programmes, to name just two, work with young people with additional needs and children in care to
enrich lives through music.
“Last week we began a new project for people with dementia and their families to be creative together and express themselves through music. These are not the things that immediately spring to mind when thinking of Bristol Beacon, but this is also part of our DNA.”
Bristol singer-songwriter Lady Nade helped launch Make Space for Music.
She said: “I have worked with Bristol Beacon since I was 14, so they have been a constant in my musical life. Their support helped me find my voice as an artist, as well as develop additional skills as a music leader so I can help others to do the same.
“Bristol is absolutely a city that makes space for music, and we all want to play our part in supporting that vision.”