The NextGen Feedback Survey is an annual survey to explore how much impact Youth Music are having and what more we could do to facilitate the development of young creatives’ careers.
Built on the findings from the survey, we've decided to outline how we are taking action on the feedback you have given us.
TLDR
We've addressed your thoughts in the following areas:
- Consult young people on effective methods to capture data from the NextGen Community
- In-person networking events
- Increase content creation opportunities for the NextGen Community
- Outline our decision-making process for funding opportunities
- Review our feedback process for the NextGen Fund
- Support for over-25s.
You can download a full report on our findings at the end of this page.
Consult young people on effective methods to capture data from the NextGen Community.
As well as continuing to conduct an annual survey and interviews, Youth Music will look to conduct audience research. This will include consulting with young people on the best ways to capture data from the NextGen Community. This is done with the aim of gathering feedback from a larger sample to reinforce our findings, which will help us better support you.
In-person networking events
In the survey, we asked ‘What could Youth Music do to help you collaborate with others involved with Youth Music?’ and 89% of respondents selected ‘In-person networking events’. We actioned on this insight and have hosted a series of NextGen Community Events. So far, we’ve had events in Cardiff, Manchester and London, with more planned!
Make sure to sign up to the NextGen Newsletter to find out about NextGen Community Events.
Increase content creation opportunities for the NextGen Community.
You can access opportunities via Youth Music through multiple channels, including NextGen Funding, project participation or our regular freelance opportunities (such as working at the Youth Music Awards!). There are also opportunities to create content for us, such as the recent call out for a paid writing opportunity for Black History Month.
If you want to stay up to date with these opportunities, be sure to check out our opportunities board, follow us on social media and sign up to the NextGen Newsletter.
Outline our decision-making process for funding opportunities.
Respondents in the survey told us that they wanted more opportunities that are targeted at marginalised groups. As an organisation aiming to take the lead in inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, outlining the way we approach decision-making will help demonstrate how reaching underrepresented groups is a core component of our process. It will also help to display how we involve young people in our decision-making. Watch this space for updates on this recommendation.
Review our feedback process for the NextGen Fund.
At Youth Music, we recognise the importance of feedback. So when we created the NextGen Fund, we decided to be different to most funders in the sector and include a feedback process. However, we understand that some have not found it as helpful as we’d hoped during their application, so we will look to review the process.
Support for over-25s.
While turning 26 years old means you’re no longer able to access opportunities such as NextGen Funding or project participation, there’s still plenty you can get out of being a member of the NextGen Community (which you still are!).
It’s also important to note that those aged up to 30 can still apply to the NextGen Fund, if they identify as neurodivergent, d/Deaf and/or Disabled.
Head over to our resources page to access a wealth of advice on pursuing a career in the music industries. If you’re looking for funding, we have a guide to other funders who may be able to support you; use ‘Individual’ as a keyword search to find the appropriate ones for you.
Want to get involved?
Are you aged 18-25 and chasing a career in music, but finding it tough, closed off and hard to break in to? Start finding your way in with Youth Music's NextGen Community. By signing up you'll be the first to get information about our funding for young creatives, freelance work, as well as job and training opportunities. Join our NextGen community here.
Thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery for supporting Youth Music's work with young creatives.
Find out more information about our different grant programmes here, and our funded partners here.