What The Glasshouse International Centre for Music does

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a non-profit music venue and education complex at Gateshead Quays, England, operated by North Music Trust (registered charity no. 1087445, company limited by guarantee no. 04044936). It opened in December 2004 in a Foster + Partners-designed building featuring 630 glass panes rising to 40 metres, and houses two performance spaces: Sage One, a 1,640-seat concert hall with acoustics inspired by Vienna's Musikverein, and Sage Two, described as the only decagonal gig venue of its kind in the world. The venue is home to Royal Northern Sinfonia, a 37-musician resident orchestra led by Music Director Dinis Sousa, and runs a comprehensive Make Music education programme serving children, young people, adults, families, and SEND participants across 26 rehearsal rooms in the Foyle Music Centre, plus a Centre for Advanced Training for talented 10-18 year olds and an Artist in Residence programme.

The Glasshouse serves four primary customer segments: live music audiences (classical, contemporary, folk, jazz, and family programming accessed through its own box office, subscriptions, and group discounts), music learners and emerging artists (Make Music classes, ensembles including Young Sinfonia, Folkestra, and Jambone), corporate and event hirers (conference, private function, and commercial recording venue hire, exemplified by the BESS Annual Scientific Meeting with 650+ delegates), and professional/emerging artists (Royal Northern Sinfonia, Artistic Partners including Corinne Bailey Rae and The Unthanks, and BBC Introducing acts). Ancillary revenue is generated through The Brasserie restaurant, three bars, a café, The Shop, an on-site Euro Car Parks-managed car park, and free Metro access via a Nexus partnership. The organisation reaches more than 2 million people annually across live events, community programmes across the North East, livestreamed performances, and digital lessons.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of ticket sales (with 12.5% handling fees plus a new £2 Building Maintenance Levy introduced February 2025), subscription packages, F&B, venue and facility hire, retail, parking, and philanthropic support including a membership/donations programme, Arts Council England funding, Gateshead Council recognition, and a long-standing financial partnership with Sage as the venue's naming sponsor. Distribution is predominantly direct-to-consumer via its own ticketing platform (ticketing.theglasshouseicm.org) and physical box office, supported by coach services from Hexham, Alnwick, and Carlisle. The organisation underwent a strategic repositioning in 2023 when it was renamed from Sage Gateshead to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, marking a new chapter after two decades of operation.

Name

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

Legal name

North Music Trust

Website

https://theglasshouseicm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a Gateshead-based charity operating a Foster + Partners-designed concert venue with Sage One and Sage Two halls, home to Royal Northern Sinfonia, delivering concerts, music education (Make Music), artist development, and conference and event hire to over 2 million people annually in the North East of England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Venue

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Live Music Venues & Concert Bars (THAFAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Live music venue
• Concert hall hire
• Music education programs
• Resident orchestra performances
• Music charity services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gateshead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales and Handling Fees: The Glasshouse sells tickets to concerts, performances, and events. Handling fees of 10% (for performances on sale up to 30 April 2024) and 12.5% (from 1 May 2024) are applied per ticket. A Building Maintenance Levy of up to £2 per ticket was introduced after 14 February 2025. Ticket prices range from £5 (concessions) to £46 for classical concerts. Subscription packages offer discounted multi-concert bookings. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Food and Beverage: On-site dining at The Brasserie (pre-show dining with seasonal menus, wine pairings, cocktails, and a dedicated kids menu at £10.95) and café offerings. Three bars and a café serve audiences during concerts and during general opening hours.
3. Venue and Facility Hire: The venue is hired out to third parties for private events, commercial recordings, film soundtracks, and corporate functions. Royal Northern Sinfonia is also available for hire for private engagements. Conference and events space is marketed via a dedicated Conference & Events page.
4. Membership and Donations: Support Us / Membership programme generates charitable donations and recurring membership revenue. The Glasshouse is a registered charity (North Music Trust, no. 1087445) and relies on philanthropy alongside commercial revenue.
5. Parking: On-site car park (right behind the venue, less than 200m from doors) managed in partnership with Euro Car Parks. First hour free; all-day parking at £5.95. Blue Badge holders park free. Partnership generates revenue while supporting venue accessibility goals.
6. Retail and Shop: The Glasshouse Shop sells locally made products and designed keepsakes, serving visitors and customers beyond concert attendance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Glasshouse is a registered charity-operated international music centre that runs two purpose-built performance venues (Sage One and Sage Two), presents a year-round programme of concerts across orchestral, jazz, folk, world and contemporary genres, houses the Royal Northern Sinfonia resident orchestra, and delivers music education and participation through Make Music, the Young Musicians Programme and Centre for Advanced Training. It complements these with conference and event hire, on-site dining, retail and broadcast content for both in-person audiences and online viewers.

Product overview

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a music venue complex at Gateshead Quays, England, operated by North Music Trust (charity no. 1087445). The venue architecture, designed by Foster + Partners in 2004, features two main performance spaces: Sage One (1,640-seat concert hall with acoustics inspired by Vienna's Musikverein) and Sage Two (a unique decagonal intimate venue). The organization centers on Royal Northern Sinfonia, its 37-member resident orchestra, and Make Music, its comprehensive education program spanning all ages and abilities. Additional offerings include conference and event hire, The Brasserie restaurant, Artist Development programs with Artist in Residence initiatives, and the annual BBC Proms festival. The venue serves over 2 million people annually through live performances, digital content, and community programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Royal Northern Sinfonia: Internationally renowned orchestra calling The Glasshouse home, performing symphonies, string quartets, film soundtracks, and choral masses.
• Make Music
• Sage One
• Sage Two

Products and services

• Sage One (Concert Hall) A 1,640-seat purpose-built orchestral concert hall with tunable acoustics and a reversible lower seating block, used for symphony concerts by the Royal Northern Sinfonia, jazz, world and contemporary programming, large-scale corporate and conference events, and broadcast productions. Designed for audiences attending ticketed classical, jazz, folk and crossover performances in Gateshead.
• Sage Two (Gig Venue) A distinctive ten-sided decagonal venue built for amplified music across pop, rock, jazz, folk and contemporary genres, offering a more intimate alternative to Sage One for touring artists and ticketed gig-style performances. Open to ticketholders attending general public concerts at The Glasshouse, Gateshead Quays.
• Royal Northern Sinfonia A 37-musician resident orchestra and Arts Council England National Portfolio orchestra delivering orchestral performances at The Glasshouse, on tour across the UK and through digital broadcasts. Offers include mainstage concert series, films-with-live-orchestra, family Christmas programmes, and Artist Development opportunities for emerging composers and musicians. Aimed at ticket-buying audiences, education partners and the wider orchestral sector.
• Make Music A music education and participation programme delivering ensembles, classes, summer activities, In Harmony, Creative Soundsystem, InSound, Songbook, Discover workshops, and special educational needs and adults-and-18-plus offerings across a range of genres and abilities. Designed for parents/guardians enrolling children, adults returning to music, and partner schools; delivered in partnership with County Durham and Gateshead Music Hubs and other partners.
• Conference, Events and Venue Hire Bespoke venue hire across eight event spaces including Sage One, Sage Two and the concourse, sold individually or in combination, with on-site catering from in-house chefs and full event production capabilities including lighting and audio-visual support. Targeted at corporate, conference, association and private event organisers seeking a flagship North East venue.
• The Brasserie A premium on-site restaurant serving fresh, seasonal food supplied by The Glasshouse's own kitchen garden, greenhouse and apiary. Targets audience members, diners and corporate bookers visiting the venue for performances, events and day visits.
• Watch and Listen Digital Content Online 'Watch and Listen' content including live broadcasts and on-demand broadcasts for ticket holders, free watch/listen performances, recommended recordings and partner content. Designed for ticket holders, online audiences, schools, care homes and self-isolating viewers worldwide.
• Young Musicians Programme Weekend School Saturday music school within The Glasshouse's progressive learning pathway offering ensemble playing, instrumental lessons and musicianship training to young musicians across regional classical, jazz and creative music strands. Aimed at young musicians and their parents; supports progression to advanced training and conservatoire routes.
• Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) A specialist advanced music training programme for high-potential young musicians in the North East, supporting young people through Saturday and mid-week tuition with bursary-backed access. Delivered in partnership with the Royal Northern Sinfonia talent pathway.
• Artist Development (Artist in Residence and Summer Studios) A suite of artist development opportunities including Artist in Residence, Summer Studios and other programmes supporting emerging composers, musicians, curators and producers. Targets artists, Creative Partners, and industry collaborators working with The Glasshouse and Royal Northern Sinfonia.
• Foyle Music Centre (Rehearsal and Practice Facility) A campus building offering 26 acoustically treated rehearsal and practice rooms and a Tech Lab supporting music-making, education and pre-concert learning. Underpins The Glasshouse's programmed learning and ensemble activity for students, performers, teachers and partners.
• Rooftop Concourse and Public Galleries Free-to-access public rooftop concourse and viewing galleries spanning Sage One and Sage Two, hosting gift shop, on-site parking access and pre/post-performance social activity. Open to the general public outside ticketed events; supports venue visits regardless of ticketholder status.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million+ people reached annually through live events, community programmes, and digital content
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• IS-ISminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026The Glasshouse announced a new partnership with IS-IS on 12 June 2026, marked by The Great Exhibition of the North partnership announcement visible in the media section of the website.
• Foster + PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationFoster + Partners designed The Glasshouse building, which opened in 2004. The firm also designed iconic structures including The Gherkin in London, Hearst Tower in New York, and France's Millau Viaduct. Their architectural design — featuring 630 glass panes, 40-metre height, 76-metre deep foundations, and acoustics inspired by Vienna's Musikverein — defines The Glasshouse's identity.
• Corinne Bailey RaeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorinne Bailey Rae is one of five Artistic Partners curating and creating with The Glasshouse for three years. She serves as a creative collaborator, helping shape programming and artistic direction, and has been working with young people at The Glasshouse to inspire the next generation of musicians.
• Maria WłoszczowskaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaria Włoszczowska is one of five Artistic Partners at The Glasshouse, serving as a violinist with Royal Northern Sinfonia and as Music Director for certain performances (e.g., BBC Proms Night Tracks Live with Royal Northern Sinfonia ensemble). She curates and collaborates on artistic programming for three years.
• The UnthanksflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Unthanks (North East folk great and most frequent headline act at The Glasshouse after Royal Northern Sinfonia) serve as Artistic Partners for three years, curating and creating folk music content and performances with the venue.
• John Wilson and Sinfonia of LondonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Wilson and Sinfonia of London serve as Artistic Partners at The Glasshouse for three years, bringing their acclaimed orchestral performances and curatorial expertise to the venue's programming.
• GemArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGemArts is one of five Artistic Partners at The Glasshouse for three years, bringing cultural programming expertise and connections to the North East music ecosystem.
• BBC IntroducingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBC Introducing has a dedicated presence at The Glasshouse, 'BBC Introducing From The Glasshouse,' supporting the region's most exciting new and independent musical acts with performance opportunities and broadcast exposure through BBC Radio 3.
• Generator (Newcastle Gateshead Music City)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Glasshouse partners with Generator (the region's music development organisation) to lead the Newcastle Gateshead Music City initiative, building a connected and future-facing music ecosystem for the region that supports artists, venues, businesses, and civic partners.
• Euro Car Parks (ECP)minorOthersEuro Car Parks is a parking management partner implementing a new barrier-free ANPR system at The Glasshouse's on-site car park. ECP issues Parking Charge Notices and manages the cashless payment system (via RingGo, PayByPhone, and on-site machines). The partnership generates revenue for the charity while improving the visitor experience.
• Northumbrian WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthumbrian Water partnered with The Glasshouse on a sustainability initiative for smarter water use, reflecting the venue's environmental commitments and journey to net-zero by 2030.
• Newcastle UniversityminorOthersNewcastle University partnered with The Glasshouse to support the 2024/25 Artists in Residence programme (Frankie Archer, ako, and Nat Sharp), providing funding and academic support alongside Mediale and Advanced Media Production Studio.
• MedialeminorOthersMediale partnered with The Glasshouse to support the 2024/25 Artists in Residence programme (Frankie Archer, ako, and Nat Sharp), contributing to digital and creative innovation in music.
• Advanced Media Production StudiominorOthersAdvanced Media Production Studio partnered with The Glasshouse to support the 2024/25 Artists in Residence programme, providing production expertise for the resulting films and performances.
• City of SanctuaryminorOthersThe Glasshouse has pledged to the City of Sanctuary network and is working towards becoming a Theatre of Sanctuary, committed to supporting refugee and asylum seeker communities to enjoy music at the venue.
• Nexus (Tyne and Wear Metro)minorOthersNexus provides free Metro travel to The Glasshouse — audiences can travel free on Tyne and Wear Metro 2 hours before and up to 2 hours after their concert by showing their ticket to Metro inspectors, supporting accessible attendance.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Symphony Hall, Birmingham: Major 2,262-seat concert venue in the West Midlands, home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Directly comparable as a purpose-built regional concert hall with a resident professional orchestra and broad classical-to-contemporary programming — the UK benchmark for regional symphonic venues.
• Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff: Purpose-built arts centre opened in 2004 (the same year as The Glasshouse) serving as Wales's principal cultural venue. Comparable as a 21st-century purpose-built regional arts venue combining performance, learning programmes, and hospitality under a not-for-profit/charitable structure serving a non-London market.
• Bridgewater Hall, Manchester: Purpose-built regional concert venue home to the Hallé Orchestra, opened 1996 in Northern England. Closest comparable to The Glasshouse by profile: dedicated concert hall in a regional English city with a resident orchestra, classical subscription programming, and education/community outreach. Similar seating scale and charity/society governance model.
• Cadogan Hall, London: Smaller London classical concert venue serving as a residency venue for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a focus venue for chamber and orchestral series. Directly comparable in classical concert hall programming, RPO orchestra residency analogous to Royal Northern Sinfonia, and ticketed subscription model — though it sits in central London rather than a regional city.
• Wigmore Hall, London: Specialised London recital venue focused on chamber music, song, and small-ensemble classical programmes with a strong learning/education arm. Directly comparable as a classical venue with deep artistic programming roots, learning programmes, and ticketed concert series — though it operates at smaller, chamber-scale programming only.
• Liverpool Philharmonic Hall: Home of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, a regional English concert venue combining a resident orchestra, classical concert series, and learning/education programmes. Highly comparable as a UK regional venue integrating professional orchestral performance with community music education under a charity structure.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Albert Hall, London: Iconic London concert venue and registered charity hosting classical, rock, and broadcast events. Comparable as a heritage performing arts venue with charitable status, broad ticketing/programming, conference and event hire, and partner/sponsor relationships — though it operates at materially larger scale and brand recognition.
• Southbank Centre / Royal Festival Hall: London arts complex home to Royal Festival Hall and several resident orchestras including the Philharmonia. Comparable in combining concert hall operations, classical programming, education/community engagement, and venue hire — significantly larger scale and broader arts programming than The Glasshouse.
• Barbican Centre, London: Major London multi-arts complex operated by the Barbican Centre Trust (charity), home to the London Symphony Orchestra. Broader scale and broader programming remit than The Glasshouse but directly comparable governance model (charity), orchestra residency, education programmes, and conference/venue hire mix.

Regional players

• Usher Hall, Edinburgh: Edinburgh's principal concert venue hosting the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and major touring artists. Comparable as a UK regional concert venue outside London delivering classical and contemporary programming with venue hire activity, though it is a redeveloped heritage venue rather than a Foster + Partners purpose-built landmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/glasshouseicm
• Facebookfacebook.com/theglasshouseicm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theglasshouseicm

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Glasshouse International Centre for Music