LONG DIVISION

Energising Grassroots Culture

The performance and creation of music is central to Long Division, and our most direct means to inspire, entertain and educate. With it, we forge shared positive experiences and connect our city both internally and to the wider world.

Music is a powerful end in itself, but we also believe it serves as a gateway to wider culture and a path towards a lifetime of meaningful relationships. Whether the basis of a career or the beginnings of life-long friendships, this forms the heart of our work.

We believe a vibrant, engaged and supported music scene is a hallmark of a healthy city where community and creativity is known and proven to be vital. This is what we strive to realise.

Long Division is…

A community interest company formed in 2017 to formalise the work of Long Division Festival, which began in the city of Wakefield in 2011. Developing from it’s grassroots DIY focused origins, the festival is now the largest Music & Culture event in Wakefield, comitted to supporting emerging artists regionally whilst attracting larger more prestigious touring artists. It is a member of the Association Of Independent Festivals, the Keychange initiative and works in partnership with organisations such as BBC Introducing, Backstage Academy, Music: Leeds and Yorkshire Music Forum. 

Long Division CIC also pioneers new projects built around collaboration and artist / audience development. These include it’s own education programme – #YoungTeam – which received Guardian coverage for its 2019 pilot, mentoring new curators & programmers within the city, offering significant artists commissions and a City PA scheme, offering low cost PAs to local artists and promoters. 

Long Division’s work is built around developing Wakefield’s cultural prowess, from the perspective of the people who live, work and create here – or may do in the future.