Introduction
In this short episode, I’m talking with … myself! In a change to the usual format, I’m sharing some thoughts on how we talk about why arts, culture and music matter. I touch on framing, messaging and decision science, and I mention organisations and individuals that can help, and are worth following.
You can listen now below, or on Spotify (search for the name) and iTunes or your favourite podcast app.
Listen to the podcast
What’s in this episode?
I talk about:
- the framing problem in arts, music and culture
- the evidence for this – the UK ranking 22 out of 25 among European nations in culture spending;
- the lack of value placed on the arts in schools performance measures; the £161.4 million shortfall in funding for music education in England
- the opportunity for arts, culture and music to be seen as a social good, placed centrally in public policies
- why this is important – because things are getting tougher and we need to be smarter; because we’re all becoming more aware that old ways of communicating about arts and culture aren’t cutting through; because those who are threatening our democracies are only going to use arts, culture and music as a political punch bag (think Reform and the forthcoming Senedd elections in Wales)
- what framing is and how it can help – how it’s been helping politicians, governments, mission-driven organisations and businesses for decades
- some individuals/organisations who might help, have useful things to say, and are worth following
- and I finish with three calls to action for the sector
Links for this episode
My original LinkedIn post about the arts and culture framing problem
and a related blog post from Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins about reframing music as healthcare (published after I’d recorded this podcast)
Culture spending among European nations – State of the Arts Report, Campaign for the Arts and University of Warwick, 2024
Shortfall in funding for music education – Music Mark & Demos report, 2025
Shain Shapiro, Center for Music Ecosystems, Sound Diplomacy – his article for Forbes about music’s value and health policy
Culture is not an Industry book by Justin O’Connor
David Baxter, freelance producer and arts education specialist
Articles on my blog about decision science, key messages – go to ‘Articles and advice’ and search under the relevant term
MC Consulting, who run the National Arts Fundraising School
Marc Jaffrey, leadership consultant and campaigns expert
Matt Greenough, past comms advisor to Welsh Labour and Sadiq Khan/Mayor of London campaign
My article about the Cultural Learning Alliance Annual report card 2025 and link to the report
Also, not mentioned, but a performing arts sector snapshot report by Creu Cymru that finds that one of members “most persistent sources of frustration” is “feeling unable to rigorously communicate the social value and impact of the performing arts”
About the music for education & wellbeing podcast
Listen in each month to get ideas, inspiration and practical advice from people involved in music education, community music, music therapy and more. Learn how you might break down barriers to music, through communications, advocacy and inclusive practice.
The music for the podcast was created by Otis Hynds, a young person working with Noise Solution.
- Contact me if you’d like to be on the podcast.
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More information, help and resources
- Visit Music Education Works to read and search for research evidence of the impact of music education.
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- Find out about my communications, copywriting, fundraising and evaluation services