putting young people, communities, and artists at the heart of our organisations
Hey! I’m Tom. I work with organisations to help centre the voices of young people, communities, and artists. In doing so, we redistribute resources and empower communities to change institutions for the better.
I have worked across the arts and music industry in project management, education, creative production, strategy design, audience development, consultancy, strategic fundraising, research and evaluation.
Alongside this, I programme and produce music events and orchestral concerts for schools, families, and communities.
I’m big on data and policy informed strategy, and ensuring that those we work for have a say in what we do. From artists in residence to secondary school pupils, and from community and faith leaders to businesses.
I care about art, communities, the environment, young people, and music education.
About me
I’ve worked across the music and arts sectors. From music education to large-scale collaborations on national stages.
As the Creative Director at the CBSO, I led the organisation’s Learning & Engagement department, opening the first state school established in partnership with an orchestra (Shireland CBSO Academy), redeveloping the organisation’s strategic priorities in community and education, and producing the Orchestra’s first collaboration with local grime artists.
With the Philharmonia Orchestra, I helped launch the organisation’s first Artist in Residence programme and Exec Produced House of Absolute’s Warrior Queens at Sadler’s Wells (pictured), and led the national tour of The Virtual Orchestra, working with local communities to help improve access to publicly funded culture.
At Music for Youth, I led the Frequencies programme that connected young RnB, grime, and electronics artists to the commercial sector. And I brought together those artists with young ensembles to record their work in new settings.
With Manchester Collective and the University of Sheffield, I’ve researched pioneering methods of audience development in the classical sector, and asked the question “How radical is it possible to be in the UK classical music sector?”
Get in touch
Drop me a message to find out how we might work together.