Oxford Contemporary Music (formerly Oxford Festival of Contemporary Music) promotes a wide range of new music, from contemporary classical music to experimental art rock, jazz and world music to electronica, and performances in art galleries and cinemas as well as concert venues and nightclubs. It also runs an active outreach programme in conjunction with Oxfordshire Social Services, Oxfordshire County Music Service, Oxford Brookes University and Oxford University, with activities and events across Oxfordshire.

A particular aim is to reach out to communities that lack opportunities to experience high quality professional live music, with rush hour performances at a local gallery, performances in local village venues in partnership with groups in Burford, Abingdon, Wallingford and other rural areas, and outreach activities in day centres.