Will Baldwin-Pask
@willbpask.bsky.social
Culture & community marketing, writing, content
Freelance marketing | www.content-culture.co.uk
Lead Editor | www.thestateofthearts.co.uk
Slightly longer, slightly more curated thoughts on www.linkedin.com/in/will-baldwin-pask
Freelance marketing | www.content-culture.co.uk
Lead Editor | www.thestateofthearts.co.uk
Slightly longer, slightly more curated thoughts on www.linkedin.com/in/will-baldwin-pask
I'm no funding/development expert, but the Arts Council & Grantium madness enhances the case for a more devolved funding model, not just new tech.
There were hints of this in the DCMS Creative Industries plan... hopefully more to come in this space. Feel for all the applicants affected atm ☹️
There were hints of this in the DCMS Creative Industries plan... hopefully more to come in this space. Feel for all the applicants affected atm ☹️
August 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I'm no funding/development expert, but the Arts Council & Grantium madness enhances the case for a more devolved funding model, not just new tech.
There were hints of this in the DCMS Creative Industries plan... hopefully more to come in this space. Feel for all the applicants affected atm ☹️
There were hints of this in the DCMS Creative Industries plan... hopefully more to come in this space. Feel for all the applicants affected atm ☹️
New project from myself and @dmccarthys.bsky.social: The Ground Up 📈 Deep-dive features with the people behind the UK's grassroots music venues – read Dan's intro piece for more info on The Ground Up, as well as the first of our features w. The Jago, Dalston... and follow on Substack 👇
Chuffed to launch The Ground Up, a Substack documenting the UK’s grassroots music venues.
Through in-depth stories and interviews, myself and @willbpask.bsky.social will be spotlighting the vital people and places making local music scenes thrive, often against the odds. Subscribe below!
Through in-depth stories and interviews, myself and @willbpask.bsky.social will be spotlighting the vital people and places making local music scenes thrive, often against the odds. Subscribe below!
The Ground Up | Dan McCarthy | Substack
A celebration of the UK’s grassroots music venues. Through stories and interviews, we spotlight the vital people and places making local scenes thrive, often against the odds. Click to read The Ground...
groundupmusic.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 6:35 AM
New project from myself and @dmccarthys.bsky.social: The Ground Up 📈 Deep-dive features with the people behind the UK's grassroots music venues – read Dan's intro piece for more info on The Ground Up, as well as the first of our features w. The Jago, Dalston... and follow on Substack 👇
A recent piece for Dance Art Journal w. John McGrath of Factory International / Manchester International Festival, discussing their approach to developing dance audiences in the city and previewing this year's MIF25 👇
danceartjournal.com/2025/07/10/h...
danceartjournal.com/2025/07/10/h...
How to build a dance audience with MIF’s John McGrath
Words by Will Baldwin-Pask. This summer’s Manchester International Festival (3-20 July), or MIF25, is upon us: the multi-arts, biennial festival of local and global culture is on to its 10th edition…
danceartjournal.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:27 AM
A recent piece for Dance Art Journal w. John McGrath of Factory International / Manchester International Festival, discussing their approach to developing dance audiences in the city and previewing this year's MIF25 👇
danceartjournal.com/2025/07/10/h...
danceartjournal.com/2025/07/10/h...
Interesting view in @theguardian.com of the Leadmill story from @danieldylanwray.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
We (TSOTA) spoke to the venue about the impact of their ACE Grant in 2021; clearly loads more going on behind the scenes.. www.thestateofthearts.co.uk/features/gra...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
We (TSOTA) spoke to the venue about the impact of their ACE Grant in 2021; clearly loads more going on behind the scenes.. www.thestateofthearts.co.uk/features/gra...
‘Not all grassroots venues are struggling’: Sheffield’s Leadmill may be closing, but the city’s DIY hubs are thriving
Despite controversial new ownership for the local landmark, Sheffield’s vibrant network of staunchly independent spots is bucking the crisis facing Britain’s small music venues
www.theguardian.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Interesting view in @theguardian.com of the Leadmill story from @danieldylanwray.bsky.social:
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
We (TSOTA) spoke to the venue about the impact of their ACE Grant in 2021; clearly loads more going on behind the scenes.. www.thestateofthearts.co.uk/features/gra...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
We (TSOTA) spoke to the venue about the impact of their ACE Grant in 2021; clearly loads more going on behind the scenes.. www.thestateofthearts.co.uk/features/gra...
A new @gogo-penguin.bsky.social album is always a treat, but it feels especially satisfying to see my former colleagues & friends at Manchester Collective appearing on the features list – artists that compliment each other perfectly, e.g. on this beauty of a track 👏
music.apple.com/gb/song/stat...
music.apple.com/gb/song/stat...
State of Flux (feat. Manchester Collective & Rakhi Singh) by GoGo Penguin on Apple Music
Song · 2025 · Duration 4:27
music.apple.com
June 23, 2025 at 10:12 AM
A new @gogo-penguin.bsky.social album is always a treat, but it feels especially satisfying to see my former colleagues & friends at Manchester Collective appearing on the features list – artists that compliment each other perfectly, e.g. on this beauty of a track 👏
music.apple.com/gb/song/stat...
music.apple.com/gb/song/stat...
Overcrowding is less about the total attendees, more to do with mis-programming big acts on far too small a stage… sell the same tickets, just don’t put Sugababes on the 500 cap bar stage duhh 🤷♂️
Glastonbury sells ‘a few thousand less tickets’ to avoid overcrowding
Glastonbury sells ‘a few thousand less tickets’ to avoid overcrowding
Festival organiser Emily Eavis says other changes include Shangri-La area ‘going full trees and green space’
Glastonbury festival is known for its huge crowds, but last year overcrowding at smaller stages led to areas being closed off to prevent crowd crushes and one act was even forced to halt their set.
In an attempt to avoid a repeat of last year’s safety concerns, the festival has sold “a few thousand less tickets” for this month’s event, the organiser Emily Eavis has said. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
June 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Overcrowding is less about the total attendees, more to do with mis-programming big acts on far too small a stage… sell the same tickets, just don’t put Sugababes on the 500 cap bar stage duhh 🤷♂️
Data? Economics?? No, not boring — the sort of report we need more of…
@artscouncilengland.bsky.social / Cebr report on ‘spillover’ impact of the creative sector (i.e. indirectly through tourism, attracting investment, turning young people into entrepeneurs)
www.artscouncil.org.uk/spillover-im...
@artscouncilengland.bsky.social / Cebr report on ‘spillover’ impact of the creative sector (i.e. indirectly through tourism, attracting investment, turning young people into entrepeneurs)
www.artscouncil.org.uk/spillover-im...
Spillover impacts in the publicly funded arts and culture sector
The Centre for Economic and Business Research reported on the economic impact of Arts Council England investments.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
April 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Data? Economics?? No, not boring — the sort of report we need more of…
@artscouncilengland.bsky.social / Cebr report on ‘spillover’ impact of the creative sector (i.e. indirectly through tourism, attracting investment, turning young people into entrepeneurs)
www.artscouncil.org.uk/spillover-im...
@artscouncilengland.bsky.social / Cebr report on ‘spillover’ impact of the creative sector (i.e. indirectly through tourism, attracting investment, turning young people into entrepeneurs)
www.artscouncil.org.uk/spillover-im...
Reposted by Will Baldwin-Pask
Feeling very inspired after visiting a party up in North Shields at the weekend — King Street Social Club with an incredible night, an age-diverse audience, deep chuggy sets, a simple safe vibe.
Places like this are doing something different, something right, that we can learn from… (1/2)
Places like this are doing something different, something right, that we can learn from… (1/2)
March 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Feeling very inspired after visiting a party up in North Shields at the weekend — King Street Social Club with an incredible night, an age-diverse audience, deep chuggy sets, a simple safe vibe.
Places like this are doing something different, something right, that we can learn from… (1/2)
Places like this are doing something different, something right, that we can learn from… (1/2)
Wow - just seen ‘Cycles’ by Boy Blue in Mcr 🤯 intense hip-hop choreography w. simple, gorgeous sound & light design. Credit to Factory International, they keep smashing the dance programming, in a city that has so much more room to platform movement art factoryinternational.org/whats-on/boy...
Cycles | Aviva Studios | Manchester
The Olivier award-winning Boy Blue return to Manchester with a tenacious exploration of hip hop dance
factoryinternational.org
March 22, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Wow - just seen ‘Cycles’ by Boy Blue in Mcr 🤯 intense hip-hop choreography w. simple, gorgeous sound & light design. Credit to Factory International, they keep smashing the dance programming, in a city that has so much more room to platform movement art factoryinternational.org/whats-on/boy...
Reposted by Will Baldwin-Pask
700 people have signed a letter to The Times calling on the UK Government to improve creative education, including our CEO, Caroline Norbury OBE.
You can read the full letter here www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...
You can read the full letter here www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...
March 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
700 people have signed a letter to The Times calling on the UK Government to improve creative education, including our CEO, Caroline Norbury OBE.
You can read the full letter here www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...
You can read the full letter here www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...
‘The National Centre for Arts and Music’ announced by UK gov — promising, as long as it’s clearly designed for those excluded from arts ed, and feeds the grassroots all over (not just Ldn institution partnerships) www.gov.uk/government/n...
Young people to benefit from creative education boost
New package announced to support young people to access high-quality arts education and enrichment activities as well as AI and tech opportunities.
www.gov.uk
March 19, 2025 at 11:12 PM
‘The National Centre for Arts and Music’ announced by UK gov — promising, as long as it’s clearly designed for those excluded from arts ed, and feeds the grassroots all over (not just Ldn institution partnerships) www.gov.uk/government/n...
Already furious at the ticketmaster queue ☺️
Activity in the Radiohead camp continues to gather pace, with the band's management seeming to confirm live shows in multiple territories will be happening soon.
Radiohead management appear to confirm 2025 tour · News ⟋ RA
Upcoming concert tickets were donated "directly from the band manager" to a Los Angeles fire relief fund, suggesting a tour announcement is on the way.
ra.co
March 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Already furious at the ticketmaster queue ☺️
Inspiring read and loads of good new music recs: crackmagazine.net/article/prof...
Confidence in community: 10 Londoners on the impact of music charity YUAF
The Young Urban Arts Foundation provides accessible, vital spaces for young people to be empowered through creativity.
crackmagazine.net
March 13, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Inspiring read and loads of good new music recs: crackmagazine.net/article/prof...