Bradford Sound Women Network are a grassroots, artist-led organisation running participatory workshops, soundwalks and events.

The network set up in response to the imbalance of women and marginalised genders in the sound art scene. We found that from a young age girls have less exposure to tech heavy language, and this can create barriers to learning, application & engagement when participating in mixed groups.

We primarily run make-and-do sessions – think knit & natter but with circuits – experimenting with sound & sound making electronics in an informal sharing and learning environment.

Our first meet-up was pre-Covid in November 2019. We picked it back up in October 2022, and in November 2022 we began running sessions with the support of Yorkshire Sound Women Network.

During 2023 we ran the project Herrrd: Exploring Bradford’s Sonic Heritage – funded through Bradford Council’s Small Projects Grant and Bradford Producing Hub’s Spare Bob. We received in-kind support from Fuse Art Space and Theatre in the Mill for venue hire. In October as part of BD25 City of Culture, we pulled together our favourite artist led activities to produce our first sound art festival Plug it Up.

BSWN sessions make space for beginners who may otherwise feel intimidated by tech or contemporary art, creating opportunities and forging accessible pathways into industries that can often feel closed or exclusionary.

STATISTICS: PLUG IT UP

2 out of 3 of all attendees explicitly described the event as welcoming, inspiring, or significantly enabled by being free.

Around one-third highlighted workshop quality, uniqueness, and high-calibre artists.

Another one-third emphasised community, connection and shared experience.

Audience feedback from Plug It Up demonstrated a clear appetite for continuation: 67% of attendees requested more festivals, workshops and performances of this nature, repeatedly emphasising the value of having this activity available locally.

• 37% want more hands-on creative workshops
• 33% want more sound art and experimental music in Bradford
• 15% want more international artists
• 11% want more women and underrepresented artists
• 11% want a stronger focus on electronic and synthesiser-based practice

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statistics: Stitch & Glitch

Around two-thirds of respondents described the sessions as welcoming, inclusive, confidence-boosting or inspiring, and significantly enhanced by being free.

Around half of respondents highlighted the sessions’ safety, nurturing atmosphere, and encouragement of participation and the positive impact on wellbeing, including improved mood, motivation, focus and stress relief — particularly during periods of caring responsibility, isolation or low confidence.

Around one-third of respondents emphasised community, connection and shared creative experience, describing the sessions as a regular social anchor and a space of belonging.

Audience feedback demonstrated a clear appetite for continuation: 100% of respondents requested more workshops and events of this nature, repeatedly emphasising the value of having women-only sound art spaces and the absence of comparable provision in Bradford.

• 67% want more confidence-building, hands-on creative sessions
• 50% want more DJing and performance opportunities
• 33% want more focus on sound art and experimental practice
• 25% want continued support for gender minority participation
• 17% want new ideas, collaborations, and inspiration from international or high-calibre artists

Qualitative evidence shows clear progression pathways, including participants moving from workshops into public performance, such as DJing at Bradford Town Hall for International Women’s Day.