Connecting Sheffield's Community Music Sector
Newly established in 2026, The Sheffield Grassroots Music Network (SGMN) is a growing partnership of music organisations, social enterprises, studios, venues, artists, and community projects working together to strengthen opportunities for young people and grassroots musicians across Sheffield.
Funded and endorsed by Sheffield City Council, the network has been established to bring together organisations that share a commitment to using music as a tool for creativity, inclusion, personal development, and community engagement.
Why We Exist
Across Sheffield, there are dozens of organisations delivering incredible work through music. From youth programmes and artist development to community events, workshops,, and performance opportunities, the city is rich with grassroots talent and expertise.
The SGMN exists to connect these organisations, reduce isolation, encourage collaboration, and create clearer pathways for young people and emerging artists to access support and opportunities.
By working together, we can share resources, increase our collective impact, and attract greater investment into Sheffield's music ecosystem.
Our Priorities
Members
The network brings together community-focused music organisations, CICs, charities, social enterprises, venues, educators, youth organisations, and cultural partners who believe in the power of music to create positive social change.
Rite Trax
Sheffield based social enterprise and events company supporting aspiring creatives, vulnerable adults and young people through events and workshops.
Grassroots and community music: two traditions, one network
Grassroots music is the infrastructure of a local music scene — the small venues, rehearsal rooms, studios, promoters, and independent organisations where artists start out, develop, and find their audience.
Community music is music-making with people at its heart — workshops, youth projects, and inclusive sessions that use music as a tool for creativity, confidence, personal development, and connection, whether or not anyone ever steps on a stage.
The two overlap constantly. The same rehearsal room hosts a signed band on Tuesday and a youth music project on Wednesday. The workshop leader is also a gigging musician. The community choir performs at the grassroots venue down the road.
In Sheffield, these worlds have always been intertwined — and neither thrives without the other. Grassroots spaces give community music somewhere to happen; community music grows the players, audiences, and organisers that grassroots spaces depend on. That's why SGMN holds both at its core: we're a network for the organisations doing either, and usually both.
Building Sheffield's Musical Future
The Sheffield Grassroots Music Network is helping create a more connected, collaborative, and sustainable future for music in our city.
Together, we are building stronger pathways for artists, greater opportunities for young people, and a thriving grassroots music sector that benefits communities across Sheffield.
Interested in Working With Us?
Whether you're a music organisation, funder, venue, freelancer, educator, community group, or supporter of grassroots music, we'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch to learn more about the network, upcoming opportunities, and how you can become part of Sheffield's growing grassroots music community.