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History

2007-11-06T10:45:17+00:00

The Firebird Trust was originally constituted as a charity in 1984 by a group of Trustees based in Nottingham to “benefit the community especially disadvantaged groups through the expressive and creative power of music and allied artforms...”

Stuart Bruce, currently a Partnership Manager for Orchestras Live, was the organisation’s first CEO, followed by Sibyl Burgess MBE who stayed with the Trust for 15 years until her retirement in 2005. The Trust is now a strategic client of Arts Council England operating regionally across the East Midlands.

On 1st October 2007 Firebird’s operation and governance was transferred to a new charitable company, Firebird Trust Limited, constituted as a fitting vehicle for the 21st century to carry the Trust’s work forward.

Board of Directors and Trustees

2007-11-06T10:49:38+00:00

Dave Groom (Chair)
Philip White (Treasurer)
Alan Humberstone
Nigel Minton
Gerard Rogers

Mission Statement, Aims and Objectives

2008-01-22T11:00:00+00:00

MISSION
The Firebird Trust is a pioneering music organisation, committed to artistic excellence, founded on the principle of inspiring and empowering people through a creative involvement in making music.

AIM
To develop Firebird’s position as a leader in the field of collaborative music making, artform development and artistic excellence, through the development and support of creative and dynamic relationships between artists and communities of interest.

OBJECTIVES

Artistic
Design and carry out a wide range of projects and programmes of work

Ensure that the work is musically and inclusive and of the highest possible standard in its context

Ensure personal and professional development of artists

Maximise partnerships with other relevant bodies

Ensure quality control by monitoring and evaluation systems

Governance and Organisational
Maintain appropriate managerial resources

Ensure that the principle of equality of opportunity underpins the work

Financial
Consolidate and broaden the funding for Firebird’s existing work and new initiatives

Ensure value for money

Marketing
Market the work regionally and, where appropriate, nationally; to promote the work widely

Raise awareness and be an advocate for collaborative music-making of exceptional quality in cultural, social and life-long learning policies

Firebird

2008-01-22T11:10:09+00:00

Firebird is a specialist music development agency based in the East Midlands.

Our purpose is to stimulate the creation of high quality music and thereby encourage a deeper appreciation and engagement by society as a whole with the arts. We work with both professional and amateur musicians and, most importantly. We also provide platforms for all members of the public – whatever their abilities – to access music-making in a creative and enjoyable way.

We do this by acting as a catalyst for innovation, experimentation and risk-taking in the fields of artist and artform development, by concentrating on setting up and supporting collaborations between individuals, communities and organisations, and by not limiting our work to specific musical genres. Our methodologies are underpinned by a belief that artistic excellence can be achieved by anyone and the best ways to realise this occur when individuals are given the power, autonomy and responsibility to make their own decisions and find their own creative paths.

Whilst we work with partners in the arts, education and local government, we also specialise in initiating and developing cross-sector programmes that draw on the knowledge and expertise of other sectors including higher education and business.

We raise funds for our work from a variety of sources including Arts Council England, local government, and charitable trusts and foundations.

Our services include:

Project management
Continuing professional development
Consultancy
Research
Evaluation
Fund raising

Staff

2008-01-22T14:00:52+00:00

Simon Steptoe (Executive Director)
Kayleigh Glasper (Administrator)
Lesley Stinton (Finance Officer)

2005/06

2008-01-23T10:59:53+00:00

To view and/or download a PDF copy of Firebird's 2005/06 Annual Report please click here.

2006/07

2008-01-23T10:59:53+00:00

To view and/or download a PDF copy of Firebird's 2006/07 Annual Report please click here.

ARTWORKS - Opportunities for Artists and Mentors

2008-08-05T17:12:26+00:00

We are currently recruiting suitably qualified freelance workers to help deliver our exciting new project in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire.

ARTWORKS is a combined programme of arts activties and one-to-one mentoring designed to help unemployed and economically inactive people raise their aspirations and confidence levels so that they are better able to take up job opportunities and training. The project is 24 months in length.

Kayleigh Glasper joins Firebird

2009-05-08T10:49:56+00:00

Following the recent departure of Sue Hawes from our team, we are delighted to welcome Kayleigh Glasper as our new Administrator. Kayleigh started with us at the end of April and is contactable by email kayleigh@firebirdtrust.com.

Matthew Barley

2009-09-23T09:24:58+00:00

Firebird is extremely pleased to welcome Matthew Barley as our new patron.

Matthew, who has been described as the world's most adventurous cellist, is not only an international renowed performer, but also someone who has a deep understanding and committment to education and community music work. His range of work is a perfect fit with Firebird's own aims and objectives.

To cement our new relationship together, Matthew very kindly hosted our 25-year anniversary celebration event at the Djanogly Recital Hall in Nottingham in September 2009 where he performed together with jazz pianist, Julian Joseph.

You can find our about Matthew and his adventurous world of music by visiting his website www.matthewbarley.com.