Music Venue Trust has established an accepted and acknowledged definition of a Grassroots Music Venue, available here.
The purpose of the definition of a Grassroots Music & Arts Space is to identify other spaces which are also contributing to the cultural offer of live music in our towns and cities, but which may lack the music-focused cultural programming of a GMV.
Identifying Multi Use Arts Spaces that host grassroots live music is important to the work of Music Venue Trust as these spaces make a significant contribution to the Talent Pipeline, honing musicians’ skills, providing employment, and, in many locations, delivering access to live music in the absence of, or in addition to, a specifically designated GMV.
DEFINING GMAS – CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ROLE
We define the cultural and social importance of a Grassroots Music & Arts Space (GMAS) by testing its reputation, role and activity against six criteria:
- Elephant Test
Musicians and audiences in the town/borough/city believe that the space plays an important role in the local grassroots music scene.
- Music is a Consistently Featured Element within a Vibrant Cultural Programme
A GMAS has a broad programme of cultural activity including elements such as theatre, dance, exhibitions, comedy, which includes a substantial and consistent element of live music.
- Identified Live Music Champion
A GMAS has one or more identified members of staff with responsibility for its diary of events who, within that role, are designated as the person who books, promotes and supports live music.
- Strong Live Music Programme that Supports New Talent
A GMAS offers multiple opportunities to experience a range of live music, including at least 36 events per year at which artists performing music they have written themselves are showcased. A GMAS programmes artists that deserve audiences with no expectation of direct financial reward; as a result of this loss-making activity, significant economic returns become available to the UK music industry.
- A Beacon of Music and key generator of night-time economic activity
The presence of a Grassroots Music & Arts Space provides a beacon of music activity that contributes to the musicality of towns/ boroughs/cities. By programming and reputation, GMAS attract audiences who add significant value to other aspects of the night-time economy (restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs, transport).
- Plays nicely with others
Occupies an important role within its local community and is open to further networking.
A Grassroots Music & Arts Space displays some or all of these characteristics, dependent upon factors such as location, economic climate, or seasonal variations.
DEFINING GMAS – AMENITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE
- Has a fixed or temporary stage, or as a minimum an area defined as a stage, and exhibits at least one other structural hallmark conducive to live music, such as:
Defined audience space, sound booth, ticket hatch, sound proofing, room adapted to enhance acoustics, stage facing or elevated seating, dressing room, photo pit, external poster frames for advertising gigs, overnight band accommodation
- Possesses or has access to a mixing desk, PA system, and at least one other piece of equipment to facilitate live music, such as:
Stage monitors, lighting rig, drum kit, back line, stage microphones, stage box & snake, spare instruments, instrument consumables, signal processors, recording rig, smoke machine
- Employs or otherwise utilises at least two of the following (they may be the same person):
Sound engineer, booker, promoter, cashier, stage manager, security personnel
- Applies a cover charge to some live music performances and incorporates promotion within its activities, such as:
Publishes printed or electronic gig listings, issues printed tickets, utilises on-line ticketing, produces displays and distributes posters, advertises gigs involving original music via local media