Empowering the Creatives of Manchester with MIF Sounds
For emerging creatives hungry for a chance to actualise their art, a partner like the Manchester International Festival may just be a silver lining. One of the UK’s most dynamic multidisciplinary festivals and creative hubs, MIF enhances the vibrant creative scene of Manchester and beyond with events promoting the powerful arts and sounds of the city.
But they do more than just further the work of artists already off the ground. This summer, in a collaborative series between Sound of Life and MIF, we’re visiting MIF Sounds – an incubation programme for some of the UK’s most promising emerging creatives.
Join us as we explore the unbound creativity of Manchester – sometimes hidden, sometimes on the fringes – from corners brought to the light by MIF Sounds.
EMPOWERING THE CREATIVES OF MANCHESTER: MIF SOUNDS
MIF Sounds is a creative grant by MIF that every year offers local artists £1000, peer-to-peer support and access to a wide range of Talent Development tools. Conceived during the pandemic, the programme has empowered emerging creatives to bring to life albums, events, and projects that otherwise couldn’t.
The purpose of MIF Sounds is to empower the unsung heroes of the local music scene and give them the chance to expand their projects or kickstart their music careers. During a recent conversation with us, Jane Beese, Head of Music at MIF, highlighted the importance of nourishing the diversity of the Manchester-based creative sector:
“We don’t just support single bands or producers, but the wider infrastructure of Manchester music scene. With MIF Sounds, we want to make sure emerging club nights, record labels and young promoters can also apply to the scheme.”
Given the ever-changing industry climate, the programme also allows creatives to interact with experts in the music field and previous winners of the MIF Sounds, hence creating an interactive music hub that can magnify the impact of each project.
“As the variety of knowledge, experience, and needs of artists vary greatly, we’ve always tried to respond to the specific requirements of each musician. If there’s an artist who needs support with social media or is struggling with the technicalities of a publishing deal, we can redirect them to the right person in our team and give them the support they need”.
Over the course of this month, we’ll be releasing exclusive interviews with the ten winners of the MIF Sounds 2022 programme, and introduce you to projects spanning spoken word poetry, cultural soundscapes, audio/visual art, and more.
ABOUT MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Since 2007, MIF has been a hub for Manchester’s cutting-edge creators across all disciplines, showcasing the diversity and cultural vibrancy of the city and working closely with other local venues and communities.
Since its inception, MIF has been dedicated to exposing the vital creative scene of Manchester and giving underground artists their much-deserved spotlight. Even though the festival is a melting pot of different cultures and creative disciplines, MIF ultimately features the stories of a city, its inhabitants, and the diverse cultural tapestry that defines it.
The result is a one-of-a-kind festival that acts as an echo chamber for the next generation of artists who live and breathe the creative atmosphere of Manchester. During the MIF, the innovative works presented resonate with the city’s architecture and atmosphere, masterfully combining cultural heritage and pioneering art into a unique visionary experience.
Rising Sounds: in a collaborative series between Sound of Life and Manchester International Festival, we’re visiting MIF Sounds: an incubation programme for some of the UK’s most promising emerging creatives. Join us as we explore the unbound creativity of Manchester – sometimes hidden, sometimes on the fringes – from corners brought to the light by MIF Sounds.
Cover Credits: Manchester International Festival & wacomka/Shutterstock
Writer | Marco Sebastiano Alessi
Marco is an Italian music producer, composer and writer. He’s the founder of Naviar Records, a music community and record label exploring the connection between experimental electronic music and traditional Japanese poetry.
Comments
0 Comments