Arts Council England, in partnership with the Department for Education, has unveiled a new initiative to establish Music Hubs across all regions of England. The latest development includes the introduction of four new Music Hubs catering to various areas of London, namely north London, east London, west London, and south east London. These hubs are set to receive a combined total of £12.1 million, with a significant portion allocated towards investing in musical instruments, equipment, and technology.
The primary focus of these Music Hubs is to provide opportunities for every child and young person in England to access top-notch music education both within school premises and beyond. These hubs are a collaboration of multiple music services from different boroughs across London, aiming to deliver high-quality music education to children and youth.
Each consortium overseeing the hubs has received varying levels of funding, with north London receiving £2,341,581, west London securing £2,846,016, east London garnering £3,898,545, and south east London leading with £3,030,266. These funds will help establish music education programs led by expert music service providers in partnership with schools, colleges, universities, cultural organizations, and local authorities.
The establishment of these Music Hubs aligns with the Government’s National Plan for Music Education and Arts Council’s Let’s Create strategy, ultimately striving to offer all children and young people the chance to develop their musical talents fully. These initiatives are designed to enhance access to creativity and cultural experiences for all children throughout England.
The new Music Hubs are scheduled to kick off in September 2024, with four lead organizations at the helm of operations. Michelle Walker, London Area Director for Arts Council England, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration with the Department for Education to enrich the National Plan for Music Education. The aim is to equip children in London with exceptional musical resources and top-tier creative opportunities to maintain London’s status as a musical pioneer and nurture the capital’s future musicians.
School Standards Minister, Damian Hinds, emphasized the importance of providing quality music education to all children and young people as an integral part of a comprehensive curriculum, stressing that it should be accessible to everyone to foster knowledge and joy through music engagement.